Xi calls for ironclad China-Russia alliance to counter global turbulence

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called for deeper and more robust strategic coordination between China and Russia, urging both nations to firmly safeguard their legitimate interests while standing as pillars of unity for the Global South.

The remarks came during his meeting in Beijing with Sergei Lavrov, where Xi also extended warm greetings to Vladimir Putin.

Highlighting key milestones — including 30 years of China-Russia strategic partnership and 25 years of their Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation — Xi underscored that bilateral ties have reached a high level of development, delivering tangible outcomes across multiple sectors.

He emphasized that in an increasingly volatile global landscape, the stability and reliability of China-Russia relations stand out as a critical anchor. Xi urged both sides to intensify strategic communication and maintain close diplomatic alignment to further elevate their comprehensive partnership.

Calling on both countries to act as responsible major powers and permanent members of the UN Security Council, Xi stressed the importance of mutual trust, unwavering support, and a shared pursuit of development. He also encouraged leveraging complementary strengths to deepen cooperation and strengthen resilience against global uncertainties.

Xi further pushed for enhanced multilateral engagement, advocating a firm commitment to multilateralism and collective efforts to reinvigorate the authority of the United Nations. He highlighted the importance of coordination within platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS to shape a more just and equitable global order.

Lavrov, conveying Putin’s cordial greetings, praised the resilience of Russia-China ties despite mounting global challenges. He noted steady progress in trade, investment, and strategic coordination across multilateral forums, including the UN, SCO, BRICS, and APEC.

Reaffirming Moscow’s commitment, Lavrov said Russia is ready to expand high-level exchanges, deepen practical cooperation, and strengthen cultural and people-to-people ties with China. He added that both nations will continue working together to uphold international fairness and contribute to global peace and stability.