MOSCOW (Realist English). Russian President Vladimir Putin held a video conference with Chinese President Xi Jinping on February 4, marking the start of the Lunar New Year and Lichun — the traditional Chinese solar term symbolising the “beginning of spring”.
Putin congratulated Xi and the Chinese people on the New Year and the upcoming Spring Festival, calling the timing symbolic for bilateral relations. He said the Russia–China comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction were “of an exemplary nature” and continued to develop steadily regardless of the international environment. In 2026, the two countries will mark the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation, which Putin said serves the fundamental interests of both nations.
Reviewing the results of 2025, the Russian leader recalled joint events held in Moscow and Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of victory in World War II, stressing the shared commitment of Russia and China to defending historical memory. He also praised the practical outcomes of China’s chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, culminating in the summit in Tianjin.
Putin said economic ties remained resilient last year, noting that despite a “minor adjustment”, bilateral trade exceeded $200 bn for the third consecutive year. Russia remains one of China’s leading suppliers of energy resources, with cooperation in the sector described as strategic. Progress has also been made in peaceful nuclear energy, industry and space projects, while trade in agricultural products grew by more than 20%.
Both leaders positively assessed humanitarian exchanges. The recently concluded Years of Culture featured more than 400 events, while 2026 has seen the launch of reciprocal Years of Education. More than 56,000 Chinese students are currently studying in Russia, while over 21,000 Russian students are enrolled in Chinese institutions. The leaders also highlighted the role of the visa-free regime in boosting business and tourism links.
On international issues, Moscow and Beijing reaffirmed their readiness for close coordination amid global turbulence, both bilaterally and on multilateral platforms including the United Nations, BRICS and the SCO. Putin also expressed support for China’s chairmanship of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.
Xi said relations between China and Russia were entering “a new stage of development”, pointing to expanding trade and economic cooperation, growing collaboration in new areas and intensified people-to-people exchanges. He said China, within its 15th Five-Year Plan, was ready to further open its economy and share development opportunities with partners, including Russia. According to Xi, 2026 would be a key milestone for deepening strategic interaction and for the joint responsibility of the two powers in shaping a fairer global governance system.
