--Photo Ria-Novosti

Carrying forward the spirit of good-neighbourliness and building an even brighter future for Russia–China relations

On the 30th Anniversary of the Russia–China Strategic Partnership of Coordination and the 25th Anniversary of the Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Russia-China Strategic Partnership of Coordination and the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China.
In 1996, Russia and China established a strategic partnership of coordination oriented toward the 21st century. In 2001, the two countries signed the Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation, which legally established the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-aggression, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence, laying a solid foundation for the long-term and stable development of bilateral relations. Over the past 30 years, Russia-China relations have withstood the tests of profound changes in the international landscape, demonstrating strong resilience and vigorous vitality.

In May 2026, Russian President Vladimir Putin paid a state visit to China. President Xi Jinping and President Putin held in-depth exchanges of views on Russia-China relations in the new era and on major international and regional issues. The two leaders signed the Joint Statement on Further Strengthening Comprehensive Strategic Coordination and Deepening Good-Neighbourly Friendship, jointly announced the extension of the Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation between Russia and China for another five years, and signed more than 40 cooperation documents covering such areas as economic and trade investment, energy, scientific and technological innovation, connectivity, education, and people-to-people exchanges, injecting new impetus into the development of Russia-China relations in the new era.
Political mutual trust has always been the most distinctive feature of Russia-China relations. The two sides remain committed to permanent good-neighbourliness and friendship, comprehensive strategic coordination, and mutually beneficial cooperation and win-win outcomes. They adhere to the principles of non-alliance, non-confrontation, and non-targeting of third parties, and respect each other’s development paths and social systems. In doing so, they have set an example for a new type of major-country relationship and relations between neighbouring countries.
In international affairs, Russia and China are both founding members of the United Nations and permanent members of the UN Security Council. The two countries maintain close coordination within multilateral frameworks and work to advance global governance in a fairer and more equitable direction. This year marks the 81st anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Foreign Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the victory of the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War. As two of the major victorious powers of World War II, Russia and China have consistently upheld a correct historical perspective on World War II, jointly opposed militarism and all acts that glorify wars of aggression or distort history, resolutely safeguarded the post-war international order, and firmly upheld international equity and justice.
Firm mutual support in safeguarding each other’s core interests constitutes an important political foundation of the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination in the new era. Russia firmly adheres to the one-China principle, reiterates that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China, and opposes “Taiwan independence” in any form. China supports Russia in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security, and development interests. The two sides will continue to provide firm mutual support on issues involving each other’s core interests and major concerns, and continuously consolidate a high level of strategic mutual trust.
Practical cooperation is an important pillar of China-Russia relations. Bilateral trade increased from US$10.7 billion in the initial period following the signing of the Treaty to US$228.1 billion in 2025. The share of the RMB and the ruble in bilateral trade settlement has exceeded 95 percent and continues to grow, further enhancing the resilience and autonomy of bilateral economic and trade cooperation.
Russia and China have maintained close cooperation in the energy sector and will continue to deepen practical cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, mutual benefit, and win-win outcomes. Cooperation in scientific and technological innovation is also steadily expanding. In accordance with the Russia-China Roadmap for Scientific and Technological Innovation Cooperation for 2026–2030, the two sides will strengthen the opening-up and sharing of “mega science” research infrastructures and promote further high-level achievements in scientific and technological cooperation.
People-to-people exchanges constitute an important pillar of China-Russia relations. From 2024 to 2025, the two countries successfully held the Year of Culture between Russia and China and the Year of Culture between China and Russia, featuring more than 400 exchange activities. The 2026–2027 China-Russia Year of Cultural and Educational Cooperation will further promote exchanges in education and culture. At present, exchanges between Chinese and Russian higher education institutions are highly active, with large numbers of students from both countries pursuing studies in each other’s countries every year. The mutual visa exemption arrangement has been extended through the end of 2027, while people-to-people travel and tourism exchanges continue to grow, creating more favorable conditions for mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries.
The development of Russia-China relations not only benefits the peoples of the two countries, but also injects strong impetus into regional peace, stability, and common development. As sincere friends and important cooperation partners of Laos, Russia and China stand ready to continue working with Laos to carry forward their traditional friendship, deepen political mutual trust, strengthen the alignment of development strategies, and expand practical cooperation in such areas as economic and trade investment, connectivity, energy, agriculture, and people-to-people exchanges.
On July 10 this year, Laos officially became the 15th dialogue partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Russia and China welcome Laos into the SCO family and stand ready to support Laos in actively practicing the “Shanghai Spirit,” deepening cooperation in the political, security, economic, and people-to-people fields, and making better use of opportunities for regional development.
In the face of an international landscape marked by intertwined turbulence and transformation, Russia and China stand ready to work with countries across the region, including Laos, to uphold the authority of the United Nations and international equity and justice, oppose all acts of unilateral bullying and attempts to reverse the course of history, and, in particular, oppose all provocative acts that deny the achievements of the victory in World War II or seek to rehabilitate and revive fascism and militarism. The two sides will uphold genuine multilateralism, open cooperation, and common development, jointly safeguard regional peace and stability, promote regional prosperity, and work together to build a more just and equitable global governance system.
History illuminates the future, and cooperation creates opportunities. Standing at a new historical starting point for Russia-China relations, we firmly believe that, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the path of permanent good-neighbourliness and friendship, comprehensive strategic coordination, and mutually beneficial cooperation and win-win outcomes between Russia and China will continue to broaden. Russia and China stand ready to join hands with Laos and other countries in the region to embark together on a future that is more peaceful, secure, prosperous, and beautiful.
--This article was co-authored by the Russian Ambassador to the Lao PDR, Mr Sergei Zhestkill, and the Chinese Ambassador to the Lao PDR, Mrs Fang Hong.
--The above article expresses the views of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the editorial perspective of the Vientiane Times.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update September 9, 2026)