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Russia and China have celebrated the 25th anniversary of their Treaty of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation, with officials on both sides praising the document as a foundation for an unprecedentedly close partnership. Russian Ambassador to China Igor Morgulov, Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Liu Bin, and other diplomats and experts have highlighted shared visions for international relations, growing economic ties, and mutual political trust.

The treaty, signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Jiang Zemin on July 16, 2001, was originally concluded for 20 years. In May, the two countries agreed to extend it, an action that analysts said underscores the relationship's value.

Coverage Comparison

Multiple TASS reports covered the anniversary, each focusing on different aspects of the relationship. The coverage includes statements from Russian Ambassador to China Igor Morgulov, who addressed trade growth and treaty's role in bilateral ties; Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Liu Bin, who emphasized mutual trust and policy prioritization; and a joint article by Russian and Chinese ambassadors in Canada, Oleg Stepanov and Wang Di, published on the Russian Embassy's Telegram channel. Additionally, Wan Qingsong, deputy director of the Center for Russian Studies at East China Normal University, provided expert commentary on the treaty's extension.

All sources presented a uniformly positive tone, highlighting cooperation and mutual benefit. No dissenting viewpoints appeared in the provided material.

Key Claims

  • The treaty has created a solid foundation for bilateral relations, according to Ambassador Morgulov, who called it "a living framework" enabling the partnership to evolve under changing geopolitical conditions. He stressed that Russia-China cooperation serves as a model for major-power relations.
  • In a reception marking the anniversary, Ambassador Morgulov said Russia and China share a common vision of the future of international relations, working together to promote a fairer multipolar world.
  • Chinese Assistant Minister Liu Bin noted at the same reception that the treaty enshrined a "new model of relations," characterized by non-alignment with blocs, non-confrontation, and non-targeting of third countries. He also said the high level of mutual political trust is the most distinctive feature of Chinese-Russian ties.
  • Ambassador Morgulov stated that bilateral trade could rise to $300 billion annually in the foreseeable future. He cited that trade increased more than 30-fold since 2001 and has exceeded the $200-billion mark for three consecutive years since 2023.
  • According to China's General Administration of Customs, trade turnover between the two countries rose 25.6% in the first half of 2026 year-on-year to $134.17 billion.
  • The Russian ambassador also noted that the transition to national currencies in mutual settlements has created a protected framework for economic ties, with China established as Russia's key trade and economic partner.
  • In a joint article, Ambassadors Stepanov and Wang Di wrote that the two countries have withstood a quarter century of global transformations, with relations at an "all-time high," and that the principles of mutual respect, non-interference, and peaceful coexistence guide their partnership.
  • The ambassadors also called on all countries to adhere to the principles of equal and indivisible defense at global and regional levels, advocating for a security system in the Asia-Pacific region.
  • Wan Qingsong said the treaty's extension demonstrates the high value both nations place on the bilateral relations, providing a solid legal foundation for the comprehensive strategic partnership and supporting a multipolar international order.