Russia-China ties reach unprecedented depth, expanding strategic cooperation: Russian FM

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday said that Russia-China relations have reached an unprecedented level of depth and strategic importance, as the two countries set fresh goals to expand cooperation across culture, education, and global affairs.

Speaking at an annual press conference in Moscow, Lavrov said that in 2025, the two countries achieved fruitful results in cooperation in multiple fields, setting new goals and areas for the development of the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era.

People-to-people exchanges between China and Russia have been continuously strengthened, said Lavrov, noting that the China-Russia Years of Culture have concluded, during which hundreds of activities were held. The two heads of state also agreed to make 2026 and 2027 the Russia-China Years of Education.

Lavrov said the China-Russia mutual visa exemption has already reached record levels and continues to grow, providing additional impetus to cultural exchanges and business cooperation.

"Contacts in the cultural sphere and in all other areas will be facilitated by the current mutual visa-free policy. The number of such trips has already reached record levels. And I believe this trend will continue. Thus, we have rich cooperation in the people-to-people sphere, which organically complements our economic interactions, and our strategic partnership in the international arena, where China and Russia are a crucial stabilizing factor in international affairs, a factor whose importance is only growing in the current circumstances," said Lavrov.

Russia-China ties reach unprecedented depth, expanding strategic cooperation: Russian FM

Russia-China ties reach unprecedented depth, expanding strategic cooperation: Russian FM

Russia-China ties reach unprecedented depth, expanding strategic cooperation: Russian FM

Russia-China ties reach unprecedented depth, expanding strategic cooperation: Russian FM

China's top political advisor Wang Huning on Wednesday called for further efforts to serve the country's economic and social development with high-quality advice and to ensure a strong start to the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the remarks when addressing a symposium held to analyze the economic situation.

Wang called for studying and implementing the guiding principles of the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and the Central Economic Work Conference, and gaining a sound understanding of the overall requirements, policy priorities and major tasks of this year's economic work.

He highlighted the importance of thinking and acting in line with the CPC Central Committee's decisions and plans on economic work.

The CPPCC should carry out inspections and research tours focusing on major theoretical and practical issues related to economic and social development during the new five-year period, further enhance studies in the economic sector, and provide high-quality advice to support a good start to the 15th Five-Year Plan period, Wang said.

At the symposium, 11 national political advisors and an economic expert spoke on a range of topics, including the integration of technological innovation with industrial innovation, the promotion of consumption and investment, and the construction of a modern industrial system.

Wang Yong, vice chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, chaired the symposium.

China's top political advisor stresses boosting new five-year plan off to a good start