Published on: 2026-10-21
Source: Government of the Russian Federation –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Mikhail Mishustin held talks with Premier of the State Council of the PRC Li Qiang.
From the transcript:
M. Mishustin: Dear Mr. Li Qiang, I warmly greet you and all Chinese colleagues in Saint Petersburg.
Today we are holding the 31st regular meeting of the heads of government of Russia and China. I am confident that our negotiations will take place in a constructive spirit and will allow us to synchronize the progress in implementing the agreements reached by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and the Chairman of the PRC Xi Jinping in May in Beijing and in August in Bishkek.
And of course, taking this opportunity, I would ask you to convey the most sincere and kind words of greeting and best wishes to the esteemed Mr. Xi Jinping.
This year we celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Treaty on Good-Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation. This foundational document defines the unique nature of our interaction.
Today, Russian-Chinese relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction are at the highest level in history and serve as a model of interstate relations.
Active joint work has been established along the governmental line within the framework of the mechanism of regular meetings of heads of governments. It ensures systematic interaction of five intergovernmental commissions at the level of deputy prime ministers and more than 80 joint coordination bodies and structures.
Despite increasing external pressure, the trade and economic cooperation between Russia and China demonstrates very strong dynamics. Over 25 years, our mutual trade turnover has grown more than 30 times. We are expanding the use of national currencies, and today their share in mutual trade is already close to 100%.
Interaction in the fields of investment, energy, culture, and humanitarian efforts is steadily developing. Interregional ties are being consistently strengthened and, most importantly, direct contacts between people.
Along the lines of governments, we are creating new growth points based on the objective competitive advantages of the economies of Russia and China. We continue to consistently protect our common interests, strengthen industrial and technological sovereignty, and jointly achieve the set goals based on mutual respect, good neighborliness, and mutual benefit.
Cooperation in the energy sector is of a strategic nature and encompasses oil, gas, coal, and nuclear components.
In the field of transportation, we are engaged in increasing bilateral and transit freight traffic, enhancing the capacity of border crossings on the Russian-Chinese border. We are expanding the use of the Northern Sea Route as a new global transport route.
And of course, we pay special attention to cooperation in the field of agriculture and ensuring the food security of Russia and China.
Interaction in the fields of education, science, culture, and sports is actively developing. Our humanitarian ties are based on many years of traditions of friendship and mutual sympathy between the Russian and Chinese peoples. Joint events are being successfully implemented within the framework of the Russia-China Cross Years of Education.
Dear Mr. Li Qiang, we have a substantial agenda. I am pleased to give you the floor.
Li Qiang(as translated): Thank you, dear Prime Minister Mr. Mishustin. I am very glad to visit the beautiful Saint Petersburg this time at your invitation. This is my second visit to this beautiful city.
Today we are ready to hold the 31st regular meeting with you. Before this, the parties have already done a huge amount of work.
I would first like to express my gratitude to the Russian side, as well as to you personally. Thank you for the warm reception extended to me and the delegation members. I am very touched. Last night, as always, you hospitably accompanied us.
As you just mentioned, despite the growing instability and uncertainty in the international situation, Sino-Russian relations are always progressing dynamically and steadily. This is thanks to the strategic leadership of our heads of state.
Chairman Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin always maintain very close contacts and connections. They have already held meetings twice this year in Beijing and Bishkek. This is an important guideline for the further development of our bilateral relations.
During the current meeting, I am ready to work diligently with you on planning the subsequent work, ensuring the advancement of bilateral cooperation in the right direction determined by the heads of state.
In the future, the Chinese side is ready to work together with the Russian side to strengthen political mutual trust and strategic interaction, so that our relations continuously develop for the benefit of our peoples.
I am ready, dear Prime Minister, to have a thorough exchange of views on matters of mutual interest with you.
Thank you.
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