Xi Assures Russia of China's Friendship as Beijing Reaffirms Strategic Ties

Xi Jinping has reaffirmed China’s friendship with Russia, telling Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Beijing that the two countries should deepen cooperation and support each other more closely.

Official Chinese readouts said Xi described China-Russia relations as especially valuable in the current international environment. He urged the two sides to strengthen strategic coordination, mutual trust and cooperation across the board.

The Chinese government said the countries should also step up multilateral coordination in the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and BRICS. AP reported that Xi framed the relationship as a stabilising force in a turbulent global landscape.

Lavrov was in China for an April 14-15 visit. The meeting adds to Beijing’s broader diplomatic outreach at a time of global instability, while also reinforcing its close alignment with Moscow.

The reporting available at publication time did not include a major new bilateral deal, but it did confirm that both sides are continuing to present the relationship as strategically important.