Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin met in Beijing and hailed strategic ties and expanding energy trade. They oversaw the signing of more than 40 cooperation agreements covering trade, technology, and media exchanges. Both leaders emphasized growing trade, especially oil and natural gas, and stated alignment on international relations. Xi said ties had reached the highest level in history and agreed to extend a friendship treaty first signed in 2001. Putin said energy-sector collaboration drives economic cooperation and described Russia as a reliable resource supplier and China as a responsible consumer amid Middle East crisis. Xi called for complete cessation of hostilities, arguing that an early end would reduce disruptions to energy supply, industrial chains, and international trade order. China became Russia’s top trading partner after 2022 and remains neutral on the Ukraine conflict while maintaining trade despite sanctions.
"Putin and Xi oversaw the signing of more than 40 cooperation agreements in areas such as trade, technology and media exchanges. They stressed their growing trade, particularly in oil and natural gas, and declared themselves aligned on international relations. The countries' ties have reached "the highest level in history," Xi said after the signing ceremony, speaking to members of the delegations and journalists. The two sides also agreed to extend a friendship treaty first signed in 2001."
"Putin told those in the room that "the driving force behind economic cooperation is Russian-Chinese collaboration in the energy sector." "Amid the crisis in the Middle East, Russia continues to maintain its role as a reliable supplier of resources, while China remains a responsible consumer of these resources," Putin added, an apparent reference to the U.S. war in Iran. Xi stressed the need for a "complete cessation of hostilities" in the Middle East, according to Chinese state media."
""An early end to the conflict will help reduce disruptions to energy supply stability, the smooth flow of industrial and supply chains, and international trade order," Xi said. China became Russia's top trading partner after Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Beijing has said it is neutral in the conflict while maintaining trade ties with the Kremlin despite economic and financial sanctions by the U.S. and Europe."
"China is also the top customer for Russian oil and gas supplies, and Moscow expects the war in Iran to increase the demand. There was no visible progress, however, on the prospective Power of Siberia 2 natural gas pipeline that Russia has pushed to boost exports to China."
#china-russia-relations #energy-trade #middle-east-ceasefire #sanctions-and-neutrality #bilateral-agreements
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