In his New Year greetings exchange with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping remarked on the strengthening foundation of Sino-Russian relations in 2023.
Despite facing backlash from Western countries due to Russia’s military actions in Ukraine, both nations have fortified their relationship, underscoring the significance of the bond between the two leaders. Xi Jinping has often called Putin his “good friend,” illustrating the personal connection that complements their countries’ partnership.
In his summary of the year to Putin, Xi emphasized the resilience of China-Russia relations amidst significant global changes and regional turbulence.
“In the face of changes unseen in a century and a turbulent regional and international situation, China-Russia relations have maintained healthy and stable development and moved steadily in the right direction,” Xi stated. Under their combined leadership, political mutual trust, strategic coordination, and fruitful cooperation have enhanced, leading to notable achievements, including the bilateral trade volume surpassing $200 billion. Looking ahead, Xi anticipated celebrating the 75th anniversary of bilateral ties in 2024, marking a significant milestone in their enduring partnership.
Xi Jinping’s recent interactions with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin further solidified the importance of Sino-Russian relations. During Mishustin’s visit to Beijing, Xi referred to the close ties with Moscow as a “strategic choice,” indicating China’s commitment to this alliance. This stance reflects China’s strategic positioning in global affairs and its approach to forging strong bilateral relationships in an increasingly complex international landscape.
