Sino-Russian ties have entered new stage of greater achievements, faster development: China Daily editorial

Russian President Vladimir Putin's 25th visit to China this week has once again drawn global attention to one of the world's most consequential major-country relationships. The steady development of China-Russia relations carries particular significance beyond the bilateral scope especially at a time marked by geopolitical turbulence.

During their meeting on Wednesday in Beijing, President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart exchanged views on bilateral ties, practical cooperation and major international and regional issues of mutual concern, injecting fresh momentum into the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination in its 30th anniversary year.

During Wednesday's meeting, the two sides also agreed to further extend the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation — this year marks the 25th anniversary of its signing — demonstrating the stability of bilateral relations and the high level of mutual trust between the two countries.

China-Russia relations have developed steadily because the two countries have continuously deepened their political mutual trust and strategic coordination. This is the result of long-time careful cultivation, mutual support and a shared commitment to respecting each other's core interests and development paths.

What makes China-Russia relations distinctive is that they have developed according to their own internal logic rather than external pressure. The bilateral relationship is characterized by non-alliance, non-confrontation and non-targeting of third parties. That also means the relationship is not subject to interference or manipulation by external actors.

That is particularly meaningful in today's world, where some countries still view international relations through the outdated prism of bloc confrontation and zero-sum rivalry.

In recent years, bilateral trade and investment have maintained stable and robust growth, showing the strong endogenous driving force behind the relationship.

The two neighbors' economies possess complementary advantages and their practical cooperation is a long-term strategic choice serving the interests of both peoples.

In the process of cooperation and communication, political mutual trust has further deepened, while exchanges in trade, investment, energy, science and technology, people-to-people and sub-national dialogues have continued to advance. The bonds between the two peoples have also grown stronger.

A recent survey among young people in both countries showed that more than 80 percent of respondents view bilateral relations positively and hope for stronger exchanges. Such findings reflect not only the vitality of people-to-people ties, but also the broader aspiration among younger generations for peace, cooperation and mutual understanding in a changing world.

Unswervingly promoting the long-term, sound, steady and high-quality development of China-Russia relations is a strategic choice made by both sides based on the fundamental interests of the two nations and broader global trends. In a turbulent era, mutual trust between major countries is increasingly valuable for world peace and stability.

The China-Russia relationship has entered a new stage of greater achievements and faster development, Xi said in his meeting with Putin.

In recent years, faced with a fluid and turbulent international situation, China and Russia have developed the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era on the basis of equality, mutual respect, good faith, and win-win cooperation, as Xi pointed out.

This has enabled the two countries to expand practical cooperation at a time when unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise in some parts of the world. Such coordination also carries significance for safeguarding multilateralism and international fairness.

It is important for the two countries to work together in international organizations so as to make the global governance system more just and reasonable and jointly uphold international justice and fairness while advancing the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

A stable and forward-looking China-Russia relationship is therefore not only beneficial to the two countries, but also contributes valuable certainty and positive energy to a volatile world.

As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and major countries, China and Russia should continue to adopt a strategic and long-term perspective and work together to fully implement the important common understandings reached by the two leaders. The two countries should seize the historic opportunities for their respective development and revitalization and contribute to the common good of the world.