On February 20, 2025 local time, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Wang Yi said that the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era is advancing to a higher level and broader dimensions. The two sides have maintained steady progress in mutually beneficial cooperation and engaged in close and effective strategic coordination, playing a crucial role in safeguarding the common interests of both countries and their peoples and advancing the multipolarity in the world. China is ready to work with Russia to fully implement the important common understandings reached between the two heads of state and further advance China-Russia relations in the new year.

Wang Yi said, this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations (U.N.), which is of great historic significance. During that arduous struggle, the peoples of China and Russia fought valiantly on both the Eastern and Western Fronts, enduring tremendous national sacrifices and making significant historical contributions in the effort to save their nations from the brink of destruction and strive for world peace. China and Russia, as major victorious nations of World War II and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, jointly bear the crucial responsibility of safeguarding the victorious results of World War II and maintaining the post-war international order. No matter how the situation evolves, the foundation of China-Russia friendship remains unshakable, and both nations are duty-bound to uphold their international moral obligations as major countries. Both sides should take the opportunity of jointly commemorating the 80th anniversary to deepen China-Russia strategic coordination, actively promote the correct view on World War II, firmly defend the international system with the United Nations at its core, safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Global South countries, and promote the building of an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.

Sergei Lavrov said, President Vladimir Putin and President Xi Jinping charted the course for Russia-China relations and strategic coordination. Russia is willing to work with China to follow this guidance to strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen practical cooperation in various fields such as economy, trade, finance and people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and promote greater development of the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination. Russia is also willing to work with China to hold a series of events to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of World War II. Noting that both Russia and China uphold multipolarity and serve as stabilizing forces in a complex and turbulent world, he said that Russia highly recognizes the global initiatives put forward by China, highly values the high-level mutual trust between the two countries, and is willing to continue to strengthen communication and coordination with China within the BRICS mechanism, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the United Nations, the G20, and other frameworks.

Sergei Lavrov introduced the latest developments in the Ukraine crisis and Russia's consideration, saying that Russia focuses on solving the root causes of the crisis and is committed to seeking a fair and sustainable plan for peace in line with the U.N. Charter. Russia attaches importance to China's objective and just position and the "Friends for Peace" group China initiated with Brazil and other countries, and is willing to maintain communication with China and strengthen cooperation with the countries of the South. Wang Yi elaborated on China's consistent position, saying that China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting peace talks and political settlement of the crisis.

The two sides also had an exchange of views and coordinated on international and regional issues of common interest and concern, including the situation in the Middle East.