Marking a milestone in their diplomatic relations, China and Russia have celebrated the 25th anniversary of their Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation. This event underscores their dedication to enhancing bilateral relations and fortifying strategic cooperation for the long haul.
The treaty, originally signed on July 16, 2001, and subsequently renewed, lays down the legal groundwork for the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations. Chinese authorities have highlighted their intention to continue fostering mutually advantageous collaboration across numerous sectors, while simultaneously nurturing global stability and confidence in development.
As they commemorate this anniversary, both countries are also on the brink of celebrating 30 years of their strategic partnership in 2026. Notably, bilateral trade has seen steady growth, with China holding the position of Russia’s largest trading partner for 16 years in a row. Trade volumes between the two nations reached around $228 billion in 2025, and commerce in the first half of 2026 showed a substantial increase compared to the same period the previous year.
Experts and officials have pointed out that the treaty has been pivotal in bolstering political trust and expanding economic cooperation, thereby enhancing the resilience of the China-Russia relationship. The partnership is characterized by principles of non-alignment, non-confrontation, and mutual benefit, which are seen as supportive of a more balanced international order.