Putin Visit to China Advances World Order for a New Era

May 21—Russian President Putin traveled to China for a state visit on May 20 with his friend and counterpart Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which the two leaders accomplished what Putin characterized as “successful, intense, and fruitful work.”

Coming on the 25th anniversary of the Russia-China Treaty of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation (which the leaders renewed), the visit, and the Russia-China relationship in general, is an important intervention into an increasingly unstable world situation.

During a press conference following a series of one-on-one meetings between the presidents and larger gatherings of the high-level delegations, Xi and Putin both underscored the importance of the meeting:

“Under President Putin’s joint strategic leadership and mine, China-Russia relations have reached a new milestone,” Xi Jinping told reporters. “We must embrace the modern era’s trend toward peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit, and strive for the better development of China-Russia relations.”

“Relations between Russia and China have a stabilizing effect on global affairs,” Putin added. “Our close cooperation is especially important amid current international tensions.”

Accompanying the Russian president was a high-level delegation of government figures, and financial, economic, and industry leaders. More than 40 bilateral documents were agreed to on various facets of the Russia-China relationship, 20 of which were signed at a ceremony with Xi and Putin.

During the visit, the two presidents inaugurated the Russia-China Years of Education and agreed to extend visa-free travel between the two countries until the end of 2027.

Two important declarations on foreign policy and international relations were signed by the leaders, reflecting the conscious role that Russia and China continue to play in upholding international law and creating a new, just type of international relations.

“We are ready to work shoulder to shoulder to build a more just and rational system of global governance,” Xi stated in remarks to the press, “advancing along the path to the common good. The great cause of Chinese-Russian friendship, which responds to the spirit of history…will surely move forward, confidently, steadily, and relentlessly achieving ever new and remarkable achievements.”