Chinese President Xi Jinping has publicly extolled the enduring strength and certainty of China-Russia relations, describing them as particularly "precious" in the current international context, which he characterised as being fraught with change and chaos. The remarks were delivered during a high-profile meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Beijing on Wednesday, 15th April 2026.
Strategic Collaboration and Multilateralism
According to reports from the state broadcaster CCTV, President Xi emphasised that the robust vitality and exemplary significance of the bilateral friendship treaty between China and Russia are even more pronounced against this turbulent global backdrop. He asserted that the two nations must leverage closer and more formidable strategic collaboration to defend their legitimate national interests and uphold the unity of countries within the Global South.
Xi further called upon China and Russia to demonstrate the responsibility and commitment expected of major world powers and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. He was quoted as urging both countries to "firmly uphold and practice multilateralism, work together to revitalise the authority and vitality of the United Nations," and to "promote the development of the international order in a more just and reasonable direction."
Context of International Uncertainty
While President Xi championed the value of the Sino-Russian partnership, he did not explicitly detail the specific "chaos and changes" he alluded to in the international landscape. His comments coincide with ongoing uncertainty surrounding the duration of the conflict in Iran. In a recent interview with Fox Business Network, U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that the war was "close to over," having repeatedly declared a U.S. victory despite the complex and protracted reality on the ground.
The relationship between China and Russia has significantly deepened in recent years, a trend notably accelerated following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. President Trump's unconventional approach to the Ukraine war has introduced additional complexities to the geopolitical dynamic but has not fundamentally altered the core Sino-Russian alliance.
Implementation of Bilateral Consensus
During the meeting, President Xi instructed the foreign ministries of both nations to fully execute the consensus previously reached between himself and Russian President Vladimir Putin. He advocated for enhanced strategic communication and close diplomatic coordination, urging the promotion of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Beijing and Moscow to "stand higher, walk more steadily and go further."
This diplomatic engagement follows President Putin's visit to China in September, where Xi welcomed his counterpart as an "old friend," a sentiment reciprocated by Putin who addressed Xi as "dear friend."
Russian Perspective and Diplomatic Visit
In response, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, as reported by CCTV, remarked that Russian-Chinese relations have demonstrated high resilience amidst a complex external environment. He highlighted the positive momentum in trade and investment cooperation between the two countries, as well as their close coordination within the United Nations and other multilateral platforms.
Lavrov expressed Russia's willingness to collaborate with China in upholding international fairness and justice, advancing their bilateral ties to achieve greater development, and contributing more substantially to global peace, among other shared objectives.
The Russian Foreign Minister arrived in China on Tuesday for a two-day official visit at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, underscoring the ongoing diplomatic dialogue between the two powers.
