During a video conference with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin celebrated ever-strengthening bilateral ties. Xi reiterated Putin’s sentiments as the duo conducted their second virtual meeting this year and their 37th meeting since 2013.
According to a Kremlin statement, Putin hailed Moscow’s ties with Beijing as “a shining example of interstate cooperation in the 21st century,” underlining how the non-interference-based model of their relations is crucial to peace between the two neighbours. The statement said the two countries will continue to expand cooperation via the United Nations Security Council, BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. They also expressed interest in finding avenues of cooperation between China’s Belt and Road cooperation and the Eurasia Economic Union
Putin pointed out that relations between the two countries are at an “unprecedentedly high level,” partly due to the twenty-year-old Treaty on Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation that was extended for another five years in June this year.
President Xi welcomed Putin’s remarks and expressed a “deep appreciation” and eagerness to work with his “old friend.” He highlighted that China and Russia have been able to solidify relations despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, showing a “new vitality” in relations.
Furthermore, both leaders highlighted how their countries had strengthened cooperation in several areas this year, including trade, vaccine production, and energy. Bilateral trade between the two countries exceeded $100 billion in the first nine months of this year. Xi said it touched the $123 billion mark in November, offering great “political advantage.” Along these same lines, Putin proclaimed: “We will pass the US$200 billion mark.”
Moreover, Putin noted collaboration with China to produce Russia’s Sputnik V and Sputnik Light vaccines and said “contracts for more than 150 million doses have been signed with six Chinese manufacturers.” Xi responded, “China is ready for closer cooperation with Russia on COVID-19 testing and on research and development of vaccines and drugs.”
Parts of Russia went into lockdown in November as the country battled a new wave of the virus. Russia, which has a low vaccination rate of 36.7%, is one of the hardest-hit countries in Europe with regards to COVID-19 fatalities.
Putin concluded his remarks by thanking Xi for the invitation to the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing and condemned the politicisation of the event, referring to the diplomatic boycott of the games by several Western countries. The two leaders will meet in person at the games to display firm ties.
Earlier in November, Russia and China announced plans for an extensive military partnership. Both countries face pressure from the United States and the West over their military activity and human rights violations.