State Diplomacy: Enhancing Resilience in China-Russia Relations Amid Global Challenges
In the face of mounting global uncertainties exacerbated by rising trade protectionism and unilateral actions, the bilateral relations between China and Russia are exhibiting remarkable robustness and dynamism. The trade between these two nations reached a record high of $244.8 billion in 2024, marking a 1.9% increase from the previous year, signifying the enduring strength of their strategic partnership.
Andrey Denisov, the First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of Russia's Foreign Affairs Committee and former ambassador to China, emphasized that the strategic direction provided by the heads of state has been crucial in maintaining the steady growth of China-Russia ties.
Recently, China revealed the upcoming state visit of President Xi Jinping to Russia, scheduled from May 7 to 10, 2025, at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. This visit coincides with the 80th-anniversary celebrations of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War in Moscow, further highlighting the role of state diplomacy in advancing the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Russia in this new era.
The past decade has seen Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin meet over 40 times in various bilateral and multilateral settings. Their frequent, sincere, and strategic exchanges have formed the bedrock of the evolving and stable relationship between their two countries. Notably, Xi Jinping chose Russia as the destination for his first state visit in 2013, marking the initiation of a new phase in bilateral relations based on equality, trust, mutual support, common prosperity, and enduring friendship.
During Xi's visit to Moscow in June 2019, both leaders agreed to elevate their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era, opening a new chapter in Sino-Russian relations. Following Xi's re-election in March 2023, his first state visit was once again to Russia. Likewise, after Putin's re-election in May 2024, he chose to visit China for his first trip abroad, underscoring the deep personal relationship and strategic trust between the two leaders.
Putin described President Xi's communication style as respectful, friendly, open, and business-like, characterizing their meetings not just as conversations among old friends but as fruitful discussions about both bilateral and global issues. Recently, in an article for Russian media, Zhang Hanhui, the Chinese Ambassador to Russia, emphasized that the guiding role of the two heads of state is fundamental for maintaining a high operational level in their relations.
Navigating global uncertainties requires a strong bilateral framework. In early 2025, Xi and Putin convened a virtual meeting to outline their agendas for the coming year. They committed to deepening strategic cooperation, fostering national development and revitalization, and jointly safeguarding international equity and justice.
Xi expressed his eagerness to collaborate with Putin to elevate their bilateral relationship to a new level and urged both parties to tackle external uncertainties with the stability and resilience reflected in China-Russia relations. According to Ma Youjun, an expert from the Heilongjiang Provincial Academy of Social Sciences, the diplomacy of the heads of state ensures that Sino-Russian relations become increasingly mature, dynamic, and resilient, infusing vitality not only into their partnership but also contributing stability to the broader international landscape.
This assessment aligns with the latest declaration from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which expressed confidence that Xi's forthcoming visit would foster deeper political trust, enhance strategic coordination, and expand practical cooperation between both sides. The ministry affirmed that significant common agreements reached between the two presidents will yield tangible benefits for their peoples and contribute to greater stability and positive energy within the international community.
Andrey Denisov, the First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of Russia's Foreign Affairs Committee and former ambassador to China, emphasized that the strategic direction provided by the heads of state has been crucial in maintaining the steady growth of China-Russia ties.
Recently, China revealed the upcoming state visit of President Xi Jinping to Russia, scheduled from May 7 to 10, 2025, at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. This visit coincides with the 80th-anniversary celebrations of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War in Moscow, further highlighting the role of state diplomacy in advancing the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Russia in this new era.
The past decade has seen Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin meet over 40 times in various bilateral and multilateral settings. Their frequent, sincere, and strategic exchanges have formed the bedrock of the evolving and stable relationship between their two countries. Notably, Xi Jinping chose Russia as the destination for his first state visit in 2013, marking the initiation of a new phase in bilateral relations based on equality, trust, mutual support, common prosperity, and enduring friendship.
During Xi's visit to Moscow in June 2019, both leaders agreed to elevate their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era, opening a new chapter in Sino-Russian relations. Following Xi's re-election in March 2023, his first state visit was once again to Russia. Likewise, after Putin's re-election in May 2024, he chose to visit China for his first trip abroad, underscoring the deep personal relationship and strategic trust between the two leaders.
Putin described President Xi's communication style as respectful, friendly, open, and business-like, characterizing their meetings not just as conversations among old friends but as fruitful discussions about both bilateral and global issues. Recently, in an article for Russian media, Zhang Hanhui, the Chinese Ambassador to Russia, emphasized that the guiding role of the two heads of state is fundamental for maintaining a high operational level in their relations.
Navigating global uncertainties requires a strong bilateral framework. In early 2025, Xi and Putin convened a virtual meeting to outline their agendas for the coming year. They committed to deepening strategic cooperation, fostering national development and revitalization, and jointly safeguarding international equity and justice.
Xi expressed his eagerness to collaborate with Putin to elevate their bilateral relationship to a new level and urged both parties to tackle external uncertainties with the stability and resilience reflected in China-Russia relations. According to Ma Youjun, an expert from the Heilongjiang Provincial Academy of Social Sciences, the diplomacy of the heads of state ensures that Sino-Russian relations become increasingly mature, dynamic, and resilient, infusing vitality not only into their partnership but also contributing stability to the broader international landscape.
This assessment aligns with the latest declaration from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which expressed confidence that Xi's forthcoming visit would foster deeper political trust, enhance strategic coordination, and expand practical cooperation between both sides. The ministry affirmed that significant common agreements reached between the two presidents will yield tangible benefits for their peoples and contribute to greater stability and positive energy within the international community.
Topics Policy & Public Interest）
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