China and Russia strengthen partnership amid Western pressure and trade sanctions
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin began a two-day visit to China as Moscow and Beijing deepen their strategic cooperation in the face of mounting U.S. trade restrictions and Western sanctions.
During talks in the eastern city of Hangzhou, Chinese Premier Li Qiang praised the bilateral relationship, describing the two nations as “good neighbours and good partners who trust each other.” He emphasized China’s readiness to “strengthen the alignment of development strategies with Russia and expand cooperation in various fields,” according to state broadcaster CCTV.
Mishustin is expected to meet President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday to discuss economic and technological collaboration — a central focus as both countries seek to mitigate growing external pressures. For Russia, that means managing the economic fallout from its ongoing war in Ukraine; for China, it involves navigating tense relations with the United States over technology and trade barriers.
The Kremlin said it attaches “very great importance” to Mishustin’s visit, though it did not specify whether President Vladimir Putin would convey a message to Xi through his prime minister.
Putin and Xi signed a “no limits” partnership in February 2022, marking a turning point in Moscow-Beijing relations. Since then, trade between the two nations has hit record levels, underpinned by a growing reliance on the Chinese yuan in cross-border settlements and expanded energy cooperation. One of the most ambitious projects — the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline — aims to supply an additional 50 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually to China via Mongolia. While progress has been made, key details such as pricing remain unresolved.
Trade strains and shifting energy dynamics
Despite public displays of unity, economic data indicate that China-Russia trade has cooled in recent months. Russian Industry and Trade Minister Anton Alikhanov cited “external economic pressure” and “market saturation” of Chinese goods as contributing factors.
The slowdown was further compounded by reports that Chinese state oil giants temporarily suspended purchases of seaborne Russian crude following new U.S. sanctions on energy majors Rosneft and Lukoil. According to Chinese customs data, China’s yuan-denominated exports to Russia fell 21% in September — the sharpest decline in seven months — while imports from Russia rebounded, rising 3.8% after a steep 17.8% drop the previous month.
On Sunday, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng co-chaired a commission meeting in Ningbo, where both sides highlighted growth in copper and nickel exports and discussed broader agricultural trade opportunities.
As Beijing and Moscow seek to solidify economic cooperation under tightening Western scrutiny, their partnership remains both a geopolitical necessity and a test of endurance in a shifting global order.
