247 – Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted the depth of the strategic partnership between Russia and China in various fields, including politics, economy, energy, culture, and sports. The remarks were made in a written interview with the Chinese news agency Xinhua, published on the Kremlin website, on the eve of his official visit to the country, which includes participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit and bilateral meetings in Beijing.
Putin stated that he hopes the SCO meeting in Tianjin, under the Chinese presidency, will provide"new impetus" to the organization and contribute to the construction of a more just multipolar world order."The Russia-China strategic partnership acts as a stabilizing force," the Russian leader said, emphasizing that the negotiations with Beijing will address both the bilateral agenda and key regional and international issues.
Memory of war and criticism of the West
The Russian president also highlighted the commemorative events in Beijing marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. He praised President Xi Jinping, whom he described as"a true leader of a great world power, a man of firm will, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to national interests."
Putin recalled that "the peoples of the Soviet Union and China bore the brunt of the fighting and suffered the greatest losses" in the war, stressing that Chinese resistance was crucial in preventing a Japanese offensive against the USSR in the most critical years of the conflict.
The Russian leader also criticized the destruction of Soviet monuments in some European countries, calling them"a barbaric act" and an example of attempts to rewrite history. He also warned against the"revitalization of Japanese militarism under the pretext of imaginary threats" and the "remilitarization of Europe, including Germany."
Trade, energy and own currency
In the economic field, Putin highlighted that cooperation between Russia and China has made decisive progress."Transactions between our countries are now conducted primarily in rubles and yuan, reducing the share of dollars and euros to a statistical discrepancy," he said.
He emphasized that Russia maintains a leading position in supplying oil and gas to the Chinese market. Since 2019, with the operation of the Power of Siberia pipeline, over 100 billion cubic meters of gas have been delivered. A new route, known as the"Far Eastern Route," is scheduled to open in 2027.
Putin also mentioned trade diversification, including the export of Russian pork and beef to China and the growing presence of Chinese cars in the Russian market, with some production located on Russian territory.
Culture, sport and tourism
Beyond economics and politics, the interview highlighted the role of cultural cooperation. Putin recalled the success of the Russia-China Years of Culture and announced that 2026-2027 will be dedicated to education. He highlighted the launch of the Intervision International Music Competition in September and the creation of the Eurasian Open Film Prize, designed to promote works free from"political intrigue" and focused on ethical and spiritual values.
Tourism was also cited as a growing area. According to Putin, the flow of visitors between the two countries grew 2.5-fold in 2024, reaching 2.8 million people.
Defense of multilateralism
On the diplomatic front, Putin stated that Russia and China support reform of the UN Security Council, including countries from Asia, Africa, and Latin America, making it more democratic and representative. The Russian president also emphasized the need to reform the IMF and the World Bank to end the use of finance as an instrument of"neocolonialism."
He reinforced that Moscow and Beijing work together in international forums such as the G20, BRICS, and APEC, seeking alternatives that benefit"the global majority" and promote human progress.
