Xi Jinping and Putin extend agreement, China-Russia strengthen cooperation

JAKARTA - Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to extend the China-Russia Treaty of Friendship and Good Neighborliness. The agreement was reached when Putin visited Beijing for two days.

Launching a report by China Daily, Thursday, May 21, Xi and Putin met at the Great Hall of the People, Beijing, Wednesday. The two also signed a joint statement to strengthen the strategic coordination and cooperation of the two countries.

During the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of 20 cooperation documents. The fields include economy, trade, education, science, and technology.

China and Russia also issued a joint statement on support for a multipolar world, a global order that is not only based on one great power.

Xi said this visit was Putin's 25th trip to China since he first became president of Russia in 2000. According to Xi, this figure shows that relations between the two countries are at a high level.

This year marks 30 years of China-Russia strategic partnership. This year is also the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Good Neighborliness.

Xi said that China-Russia relations have always adhered to the principle of non-alliance, non-confrontation, and non-targeting of third parties.

He asked the two countries to continue to support each other on issues of mutual core interests, maintain strategic communication, and strengthen political trust.

Economic cooperation between the two countries has also continued to rise. China-Russia trade values have exceeded 200 billion US dollars for three consecutive years. In the first four months of 2026, two-way trade rose by almost 20 percent, according to customs data.

Xi said China and Russia should align China's 15th Five-Year Plan for the period 2026-2030 with Russia's development strategy to 2030.

Cooperation will also be expanded in the sectors of trade, investment, energy, resources, transportation, technological innovation, education, culture, film, tourism, and sports.

Putin, who was greeted with a state ceremony and 21 gun salutes, called Xi a "close friend". He said Russian-Chinese relations were at an unprecedented level.

"Our relations do not depend on the current international situation and can become an example of inter-state relations in the current era," Putin said.

Putin also stated that Russia would deepen its partnership with China and strengthen cooperation in various international forums, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization or SCO, the Eurasian political and security cooperation forum, and BRICS, a group of emerging economies.

The two leaders also discussed global issues, including the situation in the Middle East. Xi stressed that hostilities in the region must be stopped immediately and negotiations must continue.

According to Xi, the end of the conflict will help reduce disruptions to energy supplies, industrial chains, supply chains, and international trade.

China also announced an extension of its visa-free policy for Russian citizens until December 31, 2027. According to the TASS news agency, Russia will also extend its visa-free policy for Chinese citizens.

On Wednesday evening, Xi held a state banquet for Putin at the Golden Hall, the Great Hall of the People, Beijing.