The Chinese ambassador announced the beginning of a better period in relations between Beijing and Moscow

The relations between China and Russia have entered the best period in history. This was announced on June 19 by Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui in a video message to the participants of the Russia-China business dialogue at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF-2025).

Zhang Hanhui greeted the audience and reminded them that for the first time in a hundred years, Russia and China are facing such changes at the global level. The diplomat is confident that the parties are able to jointly overcome difficulties and bring trade and economic cooperation to a new level.

"We know that Russia and China are good neighbors, this cannot be changed. Real friends and partners. We must further promote cooperation between our countries and contribute in every possible way to building a more equitable and reasonable system of global governance. We must create strong, mature and effective ties between our countries. Under the strategic leadership of President Xi Jinping and President [of the Russian Federation Vladimir] Putin's Sino-Russian relations have entered the best period in history," the Chinese ambassador explained.

Zhang Hanhui recalled that economic and trade cooperation remains the most important driving force for the development of relations.

"In 2024, our trade turnover exceeded $244 billion. Russia is the largest supplier of energy to China. There is great complementarity between us and prospects for development," Zhang Hanhui said.

He also drew attention to the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Russia to celebrate the Victory anniversary. Then Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed to deepen cooperation in a number of areas in order to further develop bilateral relations. Both sides have signed more than 20 documents on cooperation.

"We should also see that under the influence of the turbulent international situation, Chinese-Russian economic cooperation is facing some temporary difficulties. China is ready to work with Russia to help each other overcome difficulties, as well as jointly promote trade and economic cooperation," Zhang Hanhui said.

During the business dialogue, prospects for cooperation between Russia and China were discussed - the organizers of the event point out that marketplaces and streams with access to the end customer have become powerful growth drivers. The number of Chinese companies in Russia has exceeded 9,000, and six of them are among the top 30 largest foreign companies in Russia.

Chinese portal: Russia and China plan to agree on new visa-free conditions in June

The minimum number of people in a group for free entry can be reduced to three people.

The day before, Putin said that Russia and China are developing military-technical cooperation between the states. According to him, the Russian Ministry of Defense has its own plans for cooperation. Exercises are regularly held between the countries.