Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Moscow and Beijing are united in opposing what he described as “discriminatory” sanctions in global trade. In a written interview with China’s official media ahead of his trip to Beijing, Putin stressed that such measures hurt global socio-economic development and create unfair barriers.
Strong Words on Sanctions and Trade
Putin stated that Russia and China are working together to reduce trade restrictions and to improve cooperation in various fields. He explained that their partnership has grown in areas such as industry, technology, and energy. “Economic cooperation, trade, and industrial collaboration between our countries are advancing across multiple areas,” Putin said.
This upcoming four-day visit marks Putin’s first time in Beijing since May last year. The Kremlin described the talks between the two sides as “unprecedented”, highlighting the scale and importance of the discussions.
Putin’s Schedule in China
Putin will begin his visit by attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin. The SCO is a regional political, economic, and security group founded in 2001. Its members include China, Russia, India, Pakistan, and several Central Asian countries. The organisation focuses on promoting regional stability, countering terrorism, and strengthening trade and economic links among its members.
The two-day summit in the northern port city will bring together leaders to discuss cooperation and regional challenges.
Following the summit, Putin will head to Beijing for official talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The agenda will center on trade, economic relations, and joint projects. According to official statements, both leaders are expected to review the current progress of cooperation and explore ways to strengthen it further.
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As part of the visit, Putin will also attend a large military parade in Beijing on September 3. The event marks the anniversary of the end of World War II after Japan’s surrender. During this parade, Putin is expected to be seated alongside Xi Jinping, reflecting the close public display of their partnership. Similar images were seen earlier this year when the two leaders attended the May 9 Victory Day celebrations in Moscow.
Trade Growth Amid Western Sanctions
Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022, Moscow’s trade with Western countries has sharply declined due to sanctions. In contrast, China has maintained and even deepened its trade ties with Russia. This cooperation has pushed bilateral trade to a record $245 billion in 2024, making China Russia’s biggest trading partner.
In 2022, Putin and Xi declared a “no limits” strategic partnership. This agreement aimed to expand cooperation in multiple fields without setting boundaries on how far the relationship could go. Both countries have since worked on reducing reliance on Western markets and currencies, while focusing more on joint initiatives.
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Putin has underlined that his visit will allow the two sides to discuss new steps to strengthen cooperation. He pointed out that these talks are meant to benefit both Russian and Chinese citizens, particularly by improving trade and reducing barriers.
The timing of this visit is significant as it comes during heightened global tensions. While Western governments continue to impose restrictions on Moscow, Russia has leaned more heavily on its ties with China. At the same time, China has faced trade tensions of its own, especially with the United States under former President Donald Trump’s tariff policies.
The Kremlin has labeled this trip as an important moment in the relationship, pointing to the scale of discussions and agreements expected to be covered during the talks.