China signs unprecedented trade deals with Russia, vows to defend Russian interests

Sébastien Le Belzic (in Beijing) / Photo credit: HUANG JINGWEN / XINHUA / XINHUA VIA AFP 10:24 am, May 25, 2023

Russia and China on Wednesday signed a series of agreements bringing relations between the two countries to an "unprecedented" level, despite Western criticism of China's support for Russia.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin is the highest-ranking Russian official to visit Beijing since the invasion of Ukraine began. He was received by Chinese President Xi Jinping who assured him of his firm support to defend Russia's fundamental interests.

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Xi Jinping vows to defend Russian interests

It is a visit marked by the unwavering support of the Chinese government. President Xi Jinping has promised that his country will defend Russian interests. First, by helping its economy, weakened by international sanctions. This visit of the Russian Prime Minister to Beijing was marked by the signing of numerous trade agreements on investment, including a pact on the export of Russian agricultural products and hydrocarbons to China. Oil and gas deliveries are expected to increase by 40% this year.

A bright outlook for the Russian Prime Minister. "I am confident that this year we will reach the goal set by heads of state Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping to increase our trade to $200 billion."

A strong partnership between the two countries

For Beijing, this is a good deal. Chinese exports to Russia continued to grow, rising 153 percent in April year-on-year. This visit further strengthens the partnership between the two countries, placing the Russian economy a little more on a drip from Beijing.