BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping said that a stable and resilient relationship between China and Russia will help address uncertainties in the external world during talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin via video meeting on Tuesday.
Xi said that in 2025, he is ready to work with Putin to continue guiding China-Russia relations towards greater heights to cope with the uncertainties of the external environment with the stability and resilience of China-Russia relations, jointly promote the development and revitalization of the two countries, and uphold international fairness and justice.
The two sides should continue to deepen strategic cooperation, firm up mutual support and safeguard the legitimate interests of both countries, he added.
Xi also called on China and Russia to consolidate and expand bilateral relations and promote the in-depth development of practical cooperation.
Putin, for his part, said Russia and China have always trusted and supported each other and treated each other as equals.
Cooperation between the two sides serves the interests of both peoples and will never be impacted by changes in the international situation, added Putin.
During the video meeting, the two heads of state also had an in-depth exchange of views on international and regional issues of common concern and agreed to maintain strategic communication in the year.
Vitality in China-Russia ties
During Tuesday’s talks with Putin, Xi noted the two leaders held three meetings and reached many important agreements throughout 2024.
Noting that the two countries celebrated the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2024, Xi lauded the growing vitality in China-Russia ties, featuring lasting good-neighborliness, comprehensive strategic coordination and mutually beneficial cooperation.
The China-Russia Year of Culture was full of splendid events, practical cooperation progressed steadily, and bilateral trade continued its growth momentum, he said.
Both countries closely cooperated on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations (UN), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS, providing positive energy for the reform and development of the global governance system, said Xi.
Xi noted that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victories of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN.
China and Russia should take this as an opportunity to jointly defend the UN-centered international system and the victory of World War II, promote all countries’ adherence to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, uphold the universally recognized basic norms governing international relations and practice true multilateralism, he said.
As the rotating chair of the SCO, China is willing to work with Russia and other member states to usher in a new phase of the SCO, featuring higher-quality development and greater responsibility, said Xi.
He also called on the two countries to jointly advance greater BRICS cooperation and write a new chapter of unity and self-improvement for the Global South.
Putin said he was pleased to see the positive momentum in bilateral trade and energy cooperation, the increasing number of tourists visiting each other, and the close communication and collaboration of the two countries in multilateral settings.
Russia firmly supports the fact that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory and resolutely opposes “Taiwan independence” of any form, he said.
Noting that Russia and China resisted invaders with blood and life and succeeded in defending national sovereignty and dignity 80 years ago, Putin said the two countries will jointly celebrate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and defend the outcomes of WWII.
Russia is ready to strengthen cooperation with China in multilateral affairs and play an active role in world peace and development, he added.
The talks between the two leaders came days before China’s Spring Festival. Putin extended his greetings to President Xi and the Chinese people.
