Putin Ends China Visit with Signs 40 Bilateral Pacts

Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded a two-day state visit to China on Wednesday, signing 40 bilateral agreements with Chinese President Xi Jinping to deepen strategic, economic and energy ties.

The diplomatic summit marked the 30th anniversary of the China-Russia strategic partnership and the 25th anniversary of their Treaty of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation.

Strategic and Energy Agreements

A primary focus of the talks was energy cooperation, which Moscow views as the cornerstone of its economic partnership with Beijing. Discussions heavily featured the proposed "Power of Siberia 2" gas pipeline. While specific commercial timelines were not disclosed, Russian officials confirmed that negotiations on final contracts are advancing.

The leaders also signed a joint declaration promoting a "Multipolar World" and a new type of international relations. President Xi emphasized that China and Russia must work together to counter "unilateralism and hegemonism," calling for a more equitable global governance system.

Visa-Free Travel Extended

To boost tourism and personal exchanges, Moscow and Beijing agreed to extend their mutual visa-free travel regime until the end of 2027. The Kremlin noted the positive impact of the existing arrangement, prompting the mutual extension.

Cultural and Educational Ties

Beyond geopolitics, the visit featured significant cultural diplomacy: Education Initiative: Putin and Xi inaugurated the "China-Russia Years of Education" at the Great Hall of the People. The initiative is designed to enhance academic cooperation, frontier science research, and cross-cultural understanding between the younger generations of both countries.

Historical Exhibitions: The leaders toured a joint photo exhibition hosted by state media agencies TASS and Xinhua, documenting the historical milestones of their bilateral relations.

Personal Diplomacy: During a brief intermission, Putin reunited with Peng Pai, a Chinese engineer he had briefly met during his first state visit to China more than 25 years ago. The two exchanged traditional porcelain sets, symbolizing the enduring personal and national ties between the two nations.

Concluding the summit, President Xi reaffirmed that maintaining the steady, high-quality development of China-Russia relations remains a strategic priority for both nations amid a fluid international landscape.