Vladimir Putin's State Visit to China

Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to pay a state visit to China from May 19 to 20, 2026, at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. This visit marks a significant moment in China-Russia relations, highlighting sustained head-of-state diplomacy and the deepening of political mutual trust. The two nations have developed a model of major-country relations characterized by mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation. The visit coincides with the 25th anniversary of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation and the founding of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, as well as the 30th anniversary of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership. Over the past decade, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin have met more than 40 times, providing strategic guidance for bilateral ties. China and Russia have continuously deepened political mutual trust, supported each other on core interests, and strengthened coordination on international platforms like the United Nations, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, BRICS, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and G20. Practical cooperation has reached new heights, with economic and trade cooperation expanding significantly. China has been Russia's largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years, with bilateral trade reaching $227.9 billion in 2025. The Belt and Road Initiative and the Eurasian Economic Union are actively aligning, with over 70% of China-Europe freight trains passing through Russia. People-to-people exchanges have also flourished, including cultural years and a mutual visa-free policy introduced in 2025, triggering a tourism boom.