On the afternoon of May 20, 2026, President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin jointly met the press after their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

President Xi noted that this is President Putin’s 25th visit to China, which speaks volumes about the high level and uniqueness of China‑Russia relations. I have just held in‑depth, friendly and fruitful talks with President Putin, engaging in strategic communication on a series of major issues. Together, we signed the joint statement on further strengthening comprehensive strategic coordination and deepening good‑neighborliness and friendly cooperation, and witnessed the conclusion of a number of important bilateral cooperation documents. The two countries will also issue the joint statement on advocating a multipolar world and new type of international relations.

President Xi stressed that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the China‑Russia strategic partnership of coordination. Over the past three decades, the China‑Russia relationship has kept progressing with the times amid changing international dynamics. It has been growing in stature and now stands at the highest level in history as a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era, setting a prime example of a new type of major‑country relationship. This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Good‑Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation Between China and Russia. Over the years, the two countries have always adhered to the treaty’s established principle of non‑alliance, non‑confrontation and not targeting any third party, and stayed committed to equality, mutual respect, good faith and win‑win cooperation, making important contributions to safeguarding international fairness and justice and promoting a new type of international relations, and serving as a vital constant amid century‑defining changes sweeping across the world.

President Xi pointed out that under the joint strategic guidance of President Putin and myself, China‑Russia relations have reached a new starting point. The two sides should follow the trend of the times toward peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit, and strive for higher‑quality development of bilateral ties.

First, we should build higher‑quality political mutual trust and give each other firm strategic support. Political mutual trust is the most prominent feature of the China‑Russia relationship and the purpose and fundamental principle of the Treaty of Good‑Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation Between China and Russia. President Putin and I have jointly decided to extend this treaty again. The two sides should build on past tradition and forge ahead, further strengthen mutual support on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns, continuously enhance strategic communication and exchanges at all levels, and consolidate the foundation of the political mutual trust.

Second, we should empower higher‑quality mutually beneficial cooperation and jointly advance our two countries’ development and revitalization. In recent years, China and Russia have made big strides and achieved many positive outcomes in our cooperation in all fields. Two‑way trade has exceeded US$200 billion for the third consecutive year, and in the first four months of this year, bilateral trade grew by nearly 20 percent. The two sides should seize the momentum, deepen the synergy between China’s 15th Five‑Year Plan for economic and social development and Russia’s development strategy through 2030, and upgrade mutually beneficial cooperation across the board, so as to serve the development and revitalization of both countries.

Third, we should promote higher‑quality people‑to‑people connectivity and strengthen the foundation of lasting friendship between the two nations. With the high‑level development of China‑Russia relations, our people‑to‑people exchanges have become increasingly close and the bond between our peoples has grown even stronger. President Putin and I have decided to hold the tenth national theme year, namely the China‑Russia Years of Education, this year and next. The two sides should seize the opportunities to continuously expand two‑way student exchanges, deepen exchanges and cooperation between higher education institutions and research platforms, and achieve more tangible results in such areas as talent cultivation and joint research to tackle key scientific challenges, in order to create more enabling conditions for the continued growth of bilateral ties.

Fourth, we should pursue higher‑quality international coordination to reform and improve global governance. Today’s world is far from a tranquil place. Unilateralism and hegemonism have brought severe harm and the world risks regressing to the law of the jungle. As permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, China and Russia must work steadfastly as responsible major countries, safeguard the authority of the U.N. and international fairness and justice, oppose all unilateral acts of bullying and attempts to reverse the course of history, and especially oppose all provocative acts that deny the outcomes of the victory of World War II and attempt to justify and revive fascism and militarism, and work together to shape a more just and equitable global governance system.

President Putin said that my visit came at the important moment of the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Russia‑China Treaty of Good‑Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, a treaty that laid the foundation for the comprehensive advancement of bilateral relations. The Russia‑China relationship is now at an unprecedented high level. The two countries have consistently acted in a spirit of mutual respect, equality, mutual assistance and mutual support and continuously deepened bilateral cooperation. The growth of this relationship is powered by strong inherent drivers, and the cooperation between the two countries does not target any third party, nor is it swayed by geopolitical changes. President Xi and I had in‑depth exchanges on a wide range of important topics in bilateral relations in a warm and cordial atmosphere, and set the direction for future cooperation. Russia has full confidence in the future of bilateral relations and will work with China to deepen the partnership and good‑neighborly friendship, strengthen people‑to‑people ties, and contribute to each other’s development and revitalization and the well‑being of the two peoples. Russia and China will maintain close strategic coordination on the international stage and work together to safeguard the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter and global security and stability.

Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Wang Yi, He Lifeng, Zhang Guoqing, Shen Yiqin, and others were present.