30 years of China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination: A model for major-country ties

China-Russia relations stand as one of the most stable, mature and strategically valuable major-country relationships in today's world. Over the years, the two countries have forged extensive common interests, with their overarching development goals highly compatible.

Why have China-Russia relations continued to operate at a high level over the past three decades?

The fundamental reason lies in the fact that the development of China-Russia relations is not based on so-called shared strategic needs or a certain ideology. Rather, it conforms to the trend of the times and the common aspirations of the two peoples. The strategic needs and ideologies of any country may change, whereas bilateral relations built upon the trend of the times and the will of the people are inherently a product of the era.

From a historical perspective, China-Russia relations have been grounded in equality, respect and mutual benefit from the very start. The two sides have conducted practical cooperation on an equal footing, built a high degree of political mutual trust and rendered firm support to each other on issues concerning their respective core interests.

From a realistic perspective, China and Russia do not engage in political-military bloc politics, and bilateral cooperation is not targeted at any third party, thereby fundamentally avoiding bloc confrontation. As truly sovereign and independent major countries, China and Russia conduct cooperation and develop bilateral ties entirely free from third-party interference.

The essence of China-Russia relations is a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era. This new model of major-country relations transcends the traditional political-military alliance framework. Based on the fundamental principles of non-alliance, non-confrontation and not targeting any third party, the relationship comes as deeper and more stable than allied relations. 

In short, China and Russia have successfully explored a right path for neighboring major countries to get along with each other.

Close exchanges and cooperation

This week's state visit by Vladimir Putin marks the Russian president's 25th visit to China. In terms of the number of visits to China by an incumbent head of state, this has set a record.

Maintaining close exchanges, the two heads of state have not only established the practice of annual mutual visits, but also set up mechanisms including the regular meetings between the Chinese premier and the Russian prime minister and the meeting of the China-Russia committee for parliamentary cooperation, as well as cooperation mechanisms in areas such as energy, investment, people-to-people exchanges, economy and trade, and sub-national cooperation.

Under such political guidance, China-Russia cooperation now spans nearly all bilateral fields.

According to the latest data released by China's Ministry of Commerce, the trade volume between China and Russia reached $227.9 billion in 2025, exceeding the $200-billion mark for three consecutive years. China has remained Russia's largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years.

In other key areas, the two countries will continue to deepen investment cooperation, further consolidate their comprehensive energy partnership, upgrade financial cooperation, improve infrastructure at border ports, deepen practical cooperation in high technology, urban development, healthcare and ecological and environmental protection, expand youth exchanges, and enhance cooperation in education, culture, tourism, media, radio and television, film and sports.

In 2025, with the implementation of the China-Russia mutual visa exemption policy, the level of facilitation for personnel exchanges between the two countries has been greatly improved, effectively boosting pragmatic cooperation across various sectors.

In addition, China and Russia will continue close coordination within the frameworks of the United Nations (UN), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS. The two countries remain committed to safeguarding the international system with the UN at its core, enhancing the international influence of the SCO, attracting more partner countries to BRICS cooperation, and promoting closer ties between BRICS countries and the broader Global South.

The two countries will carry out constructive cooperation within such international mechanisms as the G20 and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, strengthen the voice of developing countries in the global governance system, enhance unity among Global South countries, and advocate an equal and orderly multi-polar world and inclusive economic globalization that benefits all.

New model of major-country relations in new era

China-Russia cooperation goes beyond the scope of bilateral relations and carries global significance, exerting an important impact on the future trajectory of the international landscape.

First, it promotes a more just and equitable global governance system.

As major countries and permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and Russia firmly safeguard the post-World War II international order and the UN-centered international system, and are jointly committed to advancing world multi-polarity and greater democracy in international relations. While upholding the principles of non-alignment, non-confrontation and not targeting any third party, both countries reject the Cold War mentality, oppose bloc confrontation and resist unilateral sanctions within multilateral frameworks.

Against the backdrop of global geopolitical turbulence, China-Russia strategic cooperation will serve as a key pillar of stability in Eurasia and effectively address the challenges of the collapse of the global security system.

Second, China-Russia cooperation boosts the common development of emerging economies and developing countries.

One of the key pillars of China-Russia relations is cooperation in energy and trade. Cooperation in areas such as economy and connectivity directly contributes to strengthening the resilience of global energy supply and industrial chains, thereby advancing a more inclusive transformation of economic globalization.

At present, the two sides are committed to aligning the Belt and Road Initiative with the Eurasian Economic Union. Through the platforms of the SCO and BRICS, the two countries jointly help emerging economies and developing countries enhance their voice in global governance.

Third, it sets a fine example for developing a new model of major-country relations in the new era.

Undoubtedly, China-Russia relations have transcended the limitations of traditional alliances, and established a model of international cooperation based on equality and mutual benefit. On the basis of equality, mutual trust, non-alignment and freedom from external interference, the two countries have become a model of a new type of major-country relations, providing a practical example for building a community with a shared future for humanity.

Together, China and Russia advocate a new paradigm of multipolar governance, which offers practical references for global governance and provides sustainable public goods for a multipolar world.