Xi Jinping Holds Talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin

On the morning of May 8, local time, Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Kremlin in Moscow. The two heads of state engaged in an in-depth exchange of views on China-Russia relations and major international and regional issues, and unanimously agreed to unswervingly deepen strategic coordination to promote the steady, healthy, and high-level development of China-Russia relations; jointly uphold a correct understanding of World War II history; safeguard the authority and status of the United Nations; and uphold international fairness and justice.

In May, Moscow enjoys clear skies and vast expanses of blue. As Xi Jinping arrived by car, the Commander of the Kremlin Guard greeted him at the disembarkation point.

President Vladimir Putin hosted a grand welcoming ceremony for President Xi Jinping in the George Hall. To the solemn sounds of the welcoming march, President Xi and President Putin each walked briskly along the red carpet from opposite sides of the hall to the center, where they warmly shook hands and posed for photographs. The military band then played the national anthems of China and Russia.

The two heads of state held both small- and large-scale talks.

Xi Jinping pointed out that, in recent years, thanks to the joint efforts of both sides, China-Russia relations have maintained a steady, healthy, and high-level trajectory of development, with long-term good-neighborly friendship and mutually beneficial, win-win cooperation emerging as defining features of the bilateral relationship. Political mutual trust between the two countries has grown ever deeper, practical cooperation has become increasingly robust, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges as well as local-level interactions have flourished, making China-Russia relations in the new era more poised and confident, as well as more stable and resilient. History and reality alike fully demonstrate that the sustained development and deepening of China-Russia relations is the rightful duty of inheriting the time-honored friendship between the two peoples; it is the inevitable choice for both sides to achieve mutual success and promote their respective development and rejuvenation; and it is also a call of our times to uphold international fairness and justice and advance reform of the global governance system.

Xi Jinping emphasized that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Soviet Great Patriotic War, and the World Anti-Fascist War. Eighty years ago, the peoples of China and Russia made tremendous sacrifices and achieved a great victory, making historic contributions that will be recorded in the annals of history for safeguarding world peace and advancing human progress. At present, in the face of the rising tide of unilateralism and power politics and bullying on the international stage, China will work together with Russia to shoulder the special responsibilities incumbent upon major world powers and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, step up to the plate, jointly promote a correct understanding of World War II history, uphold the authority and status of the United Nations, steadfastly defend the outcomes of the war, resolutely safeguard the rights and interests of China, Russia, and the broader community of developing countries, and join hands to advance a more equal and orderly multipolar world and an inclusive, people-centered economic globalization.

The heads of state of the two countries heard briefings from the heads of relevant departments on cooperation in various fields.

Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Russia must stay committed to the overarching direction of cooperation, fend off external interference, and thereby consolidate the foundation for stable cooperation while bolstering the momentum for progress. They should leverage the complementary strengths of their respective resource endowments and industrial systems to expand high-quality, mutually beneficial cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, energy, agriculture, aerospace, and artificial intelligence; use the alignment between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Eurasian Economic Union as a platform to build a high-standard connectivity framework; fully tap the potential of the China–Russia Year of Culture by strengthening cooperation in education, film, tourism, sports, and local exchanges, thus fostering deeper people-to-people bonds; and closely coordinate and collaborate on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and BRICS, unite the Global South, uphold true multilateralism, and steer global governance reform in the right direction.
Xi Jinping emphasized that China is comprehensively advancing the great cause of building a modern socialist country and achieving national rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernization. We are determined and confident in overcoming all risks and challenges. Regardless of how the external environment evolves, China will steadfastly focus on doing its own work well. China stands ready to work with Russia to shoulder the special responsibilities entrusted by the times, safeguard the stability and smooth functioning of the global multilateral trading system and industrial and supply chains, and make greater contributions to promoting the development and revitalization of both countries and upholding international fairness and justice.

Vladimir Putin stated that he warmly welcomes President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Russia and his participation in the commemorative events marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. This visit is of great significance, as it will not only inject strong momentum into the development of Russia-China relations but also help jointly safeguard the achievements of the World War II victory.

President Putin stated that Russia-China relations are founded on the principles of equality and mutual respect, are not directed against any third party, and remain unaffected by temporary circumstances or individual incidents. Unswervingly advancing Russia-China relations and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation is a strategic choice for the Russian side. Russia steadfastly adheres to the One-China principle and consistently supports China’s position on the Taiwan question. Russia stands ready to maintain close high-level exchanges with China, strengthen practical cooperation in such fields as trade, investment, energy, agriculture, and science and technology, deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges in education, culture, youth affairs, and tourism, and broaden the scope of cooperation in the Far East region. Imposing additional high tariffs runs counter to common sense and is unlawful; it will only backfire on the imposing country itself. The two sides should enhance coordination and collaboration within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the BRICS, support the process of world multipolarization, jointly oppose unilateralism, reject the indiscriminate use of sanctions and bloc confrontation, and safeguard the common interests of the international community.

President Putin stated that both Russia and China made enormous sacrifices in the World Anti-Fascist War. Under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people fought bravely and achieved the great victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan, making a major contribution to the ultimate victory in World War II. Throughout those arduous years of war, Russia and China supported each other, forging a deep friendship that laid a solid foundation for the development of bilateral relations. Both sides should uphold the authority of the United Nations and international law, safeguard the correct historical narrative of World War II, defend international fairness and justice, and jointly usher in a brighter future for the two countries and for the world at large.
Following the talks, the two heads of state jointly signed the Joint Statement between the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation on Further Deepening the China-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Coordination for a New Era on the Occasion of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union, and the Founding of the United Nations.

The heads of state of the two countries jointly witnessed the exchange of more than 20 bilateral cooperation documents, covering such areas as global strategic stability, upholding the authority of international law, biosafety, investment protection, the digital economy, quarantine, and film cooperation.

The heads of state of the two countries have instructed the relevant departments of both sides to strengthen communication and coordination in accordance with the consensus reached, advance practical cooperation, and achieve more tangible results.
The heads of state of the two countries also jointly met with the press.

At noon that day, Vladimir Putin hosted a welcome banquet for Xi Jinping.

Cai Qi, Wang Yi, and others attended the aforementioned events.