Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to extend their national friendship treaty on Wednesday. The two leaders promised to build stronger political trust and expand their practical cooperation. They made these decisions during a busy 2-day summit at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The meeting happened as the international community faces deep global conflicts and growing economic uncertainty.
After finishing their main talks, the two presidents signed a formal joint statement. This document outlines their plan to boost strategic coordination between their countries. They also watched their top officials sign exactly 20 cooperation documents. These new agreements cover a wide range of topics, including international trade, modern education, and scientific research. Furthermore, they released a second statement calling for a multipolar world and signed another 20 deals covering different economic sectors.
Xi spoke to reporters after the signing ceremony and highlighted the long history between the two leaders. He noted that this visit marked Putin’s 25th trip to China since he took office in 2000. The Chinese president noted that this year marks the 30th anniversary of their strategic partnership. He proudly stated that bilateral ties are currently at the highest level in their history.
The summit also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation. The two countries last extended this important treaty on June 28, 2021. Xi explained that both nations consistently adhere to the document’s core rules. They avoid military alliances, refuse to target third parties, and treat each other with equal respect. He believes their partnership helps maintain global fairness during a century of massive changes.
Economic numbers show exactly how close the two countries have become recently. The total value of bilateral trade exceeded $200 billion for 3 consecutive years. According to recent customs data, two-way trade jumped nearly 20 percent during the first 4 months of 2026. Xi wants to use this strong momentum to align China’s 2026 to 2030 development plan with Russia’s economic strategy for 2030.
While discussing global politics, Xi warned that the modern world faces serious challenges. He criticized countries that use unilateral power and act like bullies, saying the world risks returning to the law of the jungle. He called on China and Russia to use their permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council to defend international justice. The Chinese leader also firmly rejected any attempts to change the historical outcomes of World War II.
The Chinese government welcomed Putin with a traditional 21-gun salute earlier in the day. During the meeting, the Russian leader quoted an old Chinese saying and warmly called Xi his dear friend. Putin told the media that the relationship between Moscow and Beijing has reached a massive new high. He emphasized that their friendship stands on its own and does not depend on changing international politics or outside pressure.
Putin expressed complete confidence in the future of their partnership. He promised that Russia would work closely with China to solve pressing regional challenges. The Russian president specifically mentioned using international groups like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to uphold international law. He wants to deepen the connections between everyday citizens in both countries to improve their overall well-being.
Xi echoed these thoughts and declared that their relationship has entered a brand-new stage of rapid development. He urged both governments to implement the new agreements and seize current historic opportunities quickly. The Chinese president wants their teams to focus on trading more energy resources, improving transportation networks, and boosting technology innovation. He believes these actions will create powerful new engines for economic growth.
The two governments also took steps to make travel easier for their citizens. China announced it will extend its visa-free policy for Russian travelers until December 31, 2027. A Russian spokesperson confirmed that Moscow will offer the same visa extension to Chinese citizens. The leaders hope this move will encourage more people to travel for tourism, study at foreign schools, and share cultural events like movies and sports.
Before ending the day with a large banquet, the two presidents discussed serious global conflicts, focusing heavily on the Middle East. Xi stressed that all fighting in the region needs to stop immediately. He warned that the Middle East sits at a critical breaking point between war and peace. The Chinese leader explained that quickly ending the conflict will prevent massive disruptions to global energy supplies and protect international trade routes.
