Established trade partnerships and strategic alliances intensify between Russia and China
Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to embark on a four-day visit to China, starting on Sunday, September 1, 2025. The trip marks a significant milestone in the relationship between the two nations, with Putin stating that relations have reached an "unprecedentedly high level."
During the visit, Putin will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin. This meeting is a testament to the growing cooperation between Russia and China, as well as other regional powers, in addressing global challenges.
One of the key aspects of the Russia-China relationship is energy trade. Russia remains China's main supplier of oil and gas, with gas deliveries via the Power of Siberia pipeline exceeding 100 billion cubic metres since it began operations in 2019. The planned completion of the Far Eastern gas pipeline in 2027 is expected to further strengthen Moscow's role as a key market for Chinese car exports and energy demands.
Economic ties between the two nations are also robust. China is Russia's leading trading partner, while Russia has become China's fifth-largest foreign partner over the past year. Bilateral trade has grown by nearly $100 billion since 2021. Transactions between the two countries are almost entirely in national currencies, with the dollar and euro shares falling to statistical error levels.
Putin and Xi Jinping have also been advocating for reforms to make the UN Security Council more democratic and representative of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. They have also called for reforms to the IMF and World Bank to make them more equitable.
The leaders have outlined a shared vision for a "fair, open, and resilient new financial system" free from neocolonial purposes. They have emphasised joint work at the UN and the Group of Friends in Defence of the UN Charter as platforms to strengthen the Global South. Putin has also highlighted active cooperation with China within BRICS to enhance Beijing's influence in the international system.
Putin's visit to China will also include participation in events marking the 80th anniversary of the victory over militarist Japan. He will be a guest of honour during events marking the end of the Second World War in Beijing.
Putin has not shied away from criticising Western sanctions, describing them as discriminatory. However, his visit to China underscores the strategic dimension of the Russia-China relationship, calling it "a key factor in global politics."
As Putin's visit to China begins, it is clear that the relationship between the two nations is stronger than ever. The economic, political, and strategic ties between Russia and China are expected to continue to grow in the years to come.
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