30 years of strategic partnership, 25 years of the Good-Neighborliness Treaty, 150,000 Chinese tourists to Russia, and bilateral dialogue on global issues

As reported by CCTV+, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s upcoming visit to China will raise bilateral relations to a new level and boost global strategic stability, according to a Chinese expert.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the China-Russia strategic coordination partnership and the 25th anniversary of the signing of the China-Russia Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation Treaty.

Chen Yu, Deputy Director of the Institute of Eurasian Studies, believes the two heads of state will focus on the sustainable development of bilateral relations and discuss global strategic issues, including regional flashpoints.

Chen noted: “There is significant complementarity of interests between China and Russia. Both countries are committed to building pragmatic and independent partnerships based on the principles of no alliances and no confrontation. This path contributes to the sustainable development of relations, as well as to world peace and stability.”

Bilateral trade reached 228 billion in 2025, exceed in the 228 billionin 2025, exceed in the 200 billion mark for the third consecutive year. China has been Russia’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years.

Strategic coordination promotes cultural exchange. Hundreds of events are planned under the China-Russia Years of Education. The mutual visa-free policy has facilitated people-to-people exchanges. In the first quarter of 2026, over 150,000 Chinese tourists visited Russia — a 44.4 percent increase. Russian trips to China grew by 33.6 percent in 2025.

China and Russia also amplify the voice of the Global South and promote a multipolar order. Their strategic coordination is crucial for maintaining global stability, multilateralism and international law.

Chen added: “China and Russia cooperate within the UN, SCO and BRICS. Both countries are important forces in a multipolar world. Direct dialogue between heads of state on strategic issues helps bring the two sides closer and strengthens cooperation.”

$228 billion. 30 years of partnership. 150,000 tourists. The numbers are impressive, but they are not the point. Putin’s visit is not protocol. It is a synchronization of two major players on the Eurasian chessboard. No alliances, no confrontation, no third parties.

China and Russia are not conspiring against anyone. They are agreeing on stability. In a world where old norms are crumbling, their dialogue is a rare island of predictability. The question is not how many more years the partnership will last.

The question is how many countries will want to play by their rules. While the world storms, Moscow and Beijing check their courses. And the storm is no obstacle.