President Xi Jinping told visiting Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin that China aims to expand investment and deepen economic ties with Russia despite a "turbulent" external environment. Beijing called the closer partnership a "shared strategic choice" and highlighted cooperation opportunities in energy, agriculture, aerospace, the digital economy and green development. Relations have tightened since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with Moscow relying on China to mitigate Western sanctions even as bilateral trade has softened recently. The Kremlin described Mishustin's trip as "highly important," while Putin ordered new transport and logistics hubs along the Chinese border and continued to deepen ties with North Korea.
Xi Pledges Deeper China–Russia Partnership Despite 'Turbulent' Global Conditions
President Xi Jinping told visiting Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin that China aims to expand investment and deepen economic ties with Russia despite a "turbulent" external environment. Beijing called the closer partnership a "shared strategic choice" and highlighted cooperation opportunities in energy, agriculture, aerospace, the digital economy and green development. Relations have tightened since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with Moscow relying on China to mitigate Western sanctions even as bilateral trade has softened recently. The Kremlin described Mishustin's trip as "highly important," while Putin ordered new transport and logistics hubs along the Chinese border and continued to deepen ties with North Korea.
19:42, 04.11.2025Politics
Xi calls for closer China–Russia economic and strategic ties
President Xi Jinping said China seeks to deepen its relationship with Russia despite what he described as a "turbulent" external environment, pledging expanded investment and economic cooperation during a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in Beijing on Tuesday.
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the rapprochement as a "shared strategic choice," saying the two countries "must maintain close coordination" and aim to broaden mutual investment. Xi highlighted a range of sectors where cooperation could deepen, including energy, agriculture, aerospace, the digital economy and green development.
"China–Russia relations have forged ahead this year despite the turbulent external environment," Xi told Mishustin, according to the Foreign Ministry.
Growing ties amid geopolitical pressure
Relations between Moscow and Beijing have tightened steadily since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In the months since, Russia has leaned on China to blunt the effect of Western sanctions, resulting in record trade levels and expanded energy collaboration at times, even as some bilateral commerce has cooled recently amid growing U.S. scrutiny over trade and technology.
Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a so-called "no-limits" partnership just days before the February 2022 invasion, underscoring a closer strategic alignment. The two leaders have also maintained visible personal ties: Putin visited Beijing in September to attend a major military parade marking 80 years since the end of World War II.
Logistics, regional ties and wider alliances
The Kremlin described Mishustin's visit as "highly important," and said Putin had instructed his government to develop "multimodal transport and logistics centres" along the Chinese border. Kremlin officials also said similar facilities would be developed on the border with North Korea.
Moscow's relationship with Pyongyang has strengthened during the Russia–Ukraine war: Putin recently met North Korea's foreign minister, Choe Son Hui, and in 2024 Moscow and Pyongyang signed a defence pact committing each country to provide military support to the other in the event of "aggression."
Context: Analysts say closer China–Russia cooperation reflects both countries' desire to hedge against Western pressure and to strengthen regional connectivity, trade and technology links—while remaining cautious about the broader geopolitical implications.
The outcome of Mishustin's visit and the precise economic measures to follow remain to be seen, but Xi's remarks make clear that Beijing sees an expanded partnership with Moscow as a strategic priority.