On the morning of May 8 local time, Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with President Xi Jinping at the Kremlin in Moscow. The two presidents had an in-depth exchange of views on China-Russia relations and major international and regional issues. They agreed to steadfastly deepen strategic coordination, promote the steady, sound, and high-quality growth of China-Russia relations, jointly uphold the correct historical perspective on WWII, safeguard the authority and standing of the United Nations (U.N.), and defend international fairness and justice.

In May, Moscow boasts a clear sky and vast horizon. The Kremlin’s commandant greeted President Xi as his limousine arrived at the Kremlin.

President Putin held a grand welcoming ceremony for President Xi in the Georgievsky Hall. Amidst solemn welcoming music, President Xi and President Putin walked briskly from opposite ends of a red carpet, shook hands at the center of the hall, and posed for photos. A military band played the national anthems of China and Russia.

The two presidents held small-group and large-group talks.

President Xi noted that in recent years, through the joint efforts of both sides, China-Russia relations have maintained the momentum of steady, sound, and high-quality growth. Long-lasting good-neighborliness and mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation have become the defining feature of this relationship. The foundation of mutual political trust has grown stronger, the ties of results-oriented cooperation have become more robust, and people-to-people exchanges and subnational interactions have flourished. The China-Russia relationship in the new era is characterized by greater confidence, stability, and resilience. History and reality have fully demonstrated that the sustained development and deepening of China-Russia relations is a logical effort for keeping the long-standing friendship between the two peoples, a natural choice for helping each other succeed and achieve development and revitalization, and a response to the call of our times for upholding international fairness and justice and advancing the reform of the global governance system. 

President Xi stressed that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War, and the World Anti-Fascist War. Eighty years ago, the Chinese and Russian peoples made immense sacrifice and secured a great victory. Their pivotal contribution to world peace and human progress is a shining chapter in the annals of history. Today, in the face of unilateralist countercurrents, bullying and acts of power politics, China is working with Russia to shoulder the special responsibilities of major countries and permanent members of the U.N. Security Council with courage and conviction, uphold the correct historical perspective on WWII, safeguard the authority and standing of the U.N., firmly defend the victorious outcome of WWII, resolutely defend the rights and interests of China, Russia and all other developing countries, and jointly promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.

The two presidents were briefed by their officials on cooperation in various fields.

President Xi noted that China and Russia should keep to the overall direction of cooperation, steer clear of external interference, and provide a more solid foundation and more robust momentum for cooperation. The two sides should leverage their complementary resource endowments and industrial systems to expand high-quality, mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as trade, energy, agriculture, aviation and aerospace, and artificial intelligence. They should build a high-standard framework for connectivity by synergizing Belt and Road cooperation and the Eurasian Economic Union. The potential of the China-Russia Years of Culture should be fully unleashed, with greater cooperation in education, film, tourism, sports, and subnational exchanges to foster closer people-to-people bonds. China and Russia should engage in closer coordination and cooperation on multilateral platforms such as the U.N., the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and BRICS to maintain Global South solidarity, uphold true multilateralism, and spearhead global governance reforms in the right direction.

President Xi emphasized that China is building itself into a modern socialist country and striving for rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. China has the determination and confidence to overcome all risks and challenges. Regardless of changes in the external environment, China will firmly focus on managing its own affairs well. China will work with Russia to shoulder the special responsibilities entrusted by the times, uphold the global multilateral trading system, keep the global industrial and supply chains stable and well-functioning, and make a greater contribution to promoting each other’s development and revitalization and upholding international fairness and justice.

President Putin expressed a warm welcome to President Xi for his state visit to Russia and participation in the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet Union’s 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 safeguard the victorious outcome of WWII.

President Putin said that the Russia-China relationship is built on equality and mutual respect. It is neither directed against any third party nor swayed by any transient matters. It is Russia’s strategic choice to unswervingly advance relations and expand mutually beneficial cooperation with China. Russia firmly adheres to the one-China principle and consistently supports China’s position on the Taiwan question. Russia will work with China to maintain close high-level exchanges, strengthen results-oriented cooperation in trade, investment, energy, agriculture, science, and technology, deepen people-to-people exchanges in education, culture, youth, and tourism, and further broaden the dimensions of cooperation in the Far East. Imposing high tariffs defies common sense and has no legal basis; it will only backfire. The two sides should enhance coordination and cooperation in multilateral frameworks such as the U.N., the SCO, and BRICS, support the progress toward a multipolar world, jointly oppose unilateralism, resist the abuse of sanctions and bloc-based confrontation, and safeguard the common interests of the international community.

President Putin noted that both Russia and China had made tremendous sacrifice in the World Anti-Fascist War. Under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people fought heroically and achieved a great victory in the war of resistance against Japanese aggression, making a significant contribution to the victory of WWII. During those arduous war-torn years, Russia and China supported each other and forged a profound friendship that laid a solid foundation for bilateral ties. The two sides must uphold the authority of the U.N. and international law, defend the correct narrative of WWII history, safeguard international fairness and justice, and jointly create a brighter future for both countries and the world at large.

After the talks, the two presidents 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 the New Era on the Occasion of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War and the Founding of the United Nations.

The two presidents witnessed the exchange of over 20 bilateral cooperation documents, covering areas such as global strategic stability, upholding the authority of international law, biosecurity, investment protection, digital economy, quarantine, and film cooperation.

The two presidents directed the relevant departments of both countries to follow through on the consensus reached, enhance communication and coordination, promote results-oriented cooperation, and achieve more tangible outcomes.

The two presidents also jointly met the press.

President Putin hosted a welcoming banquet for President Xi at noon.

Cai Qi and Wang Yi attended the events.