Russian citizens have expressed their support for deeper cooperation with China following President Vladimir Putin's recent state visit to China.
Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday hailed a "new stage" in bilateral ties as they agreed to further extend a China-Russia friendship treaty and pledged to work together for a more just and equitable world order.
Putin's two-day state visit marked his 25th trip to China. Xi and Putin held talks, chatted over tea, visited a photo exhibition, and witnessed the signing of a slew of cooperation documents in Beijing.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination and the 25th anniversary of the signing of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation.
In separate interviews with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Russian residents highlighted the economy and people-to-people cultural exchanges as key areas that could benefit from deeper cooperation.
"I think the economy will improve. Tourist trips will become more feasible," said Daniel, a local student.
"Tourism relations will strengthen, along with educational and professional exchanges," said Dmitry, another student.
"The visa-free policy is, of course, excellent. Annual cooperation will also benefit our economy and China's economy," said Danila, a company employee.
When asked about their hopes for the future, many expressed expectations for increased trade, deeper cultural ties, and easier travel between the two countries.
"[More] supply of products means cheaper imports and lower production cost," said Irina, a young woman.
"I see mainly a focus on the raw materials sector towards China. I hope China will provide Russia with more technical support because we really need that," said Danila.
"[I expect] the economy, political relations and friendly exchanges [to improve]. Again, there will be more opportunities for people to travel [in China]," said Daniel.
Russians welcome deeper cooperation with China
After years of displacement in Lebanon, some Syrian families are returning home following the escalation of fighting between Lebanon and Israel, not to a land of peace and plenty, but to devastated neighborhoods, damaged infrastructure, and limited opportunities.
For families like Basel Barakat's, who fled Aleppo after the battle and spent years in Lebanon seeking safety, the dream was always to come back without oppression or shelling.
Little Ahmad, Basel Barakat's son, was born in Lebanon, but Syria is his true home, a country he only set foot in recently.
After the recent escalation in Lebanon, the family returned to their hometown in Urum al-Kubram, on the outskirts of Aleppo.
When conflict erupted in Lebanon two months ago, over 140,000 Syrians were forced to flee once more, returning to a country already struggling to aid 16 million people.
"We had a dream, a real dream, to go back without Bashar al-Assad, without oppression, without planes, without shelling of this country," said Basel Barakat.
Basel Barakat and his family live in an area shattered by years of war and earthquakes, yet they are slowly rebuilding their home, step by step.
"We came back to our houses that are completely destroyed, dilapidated, buried. I think it would be better to have these two windows. The door here is not mine. There are no doors, no electricity, no water. But it is enough for us to return to our country, our village, our homeland. There is nothing worse than being away from one's homeland," he said.
His aunt Samia Barakat returned with the family, saying rebuilding is hard amid destroyed infrastructure and few jobs.
"I came back to my country. But I am sad because my country is ruined. My homes are ruined. My income is gone. I have nothing," said Samia Barakat.
Ill and widowed, Samia Barakat now lives with her sister. Still, she was determined to return home.
"When I die, they will bury me in the soil of our country, Syria," she said.
Stories like Samia Barakat's are common across Syria. Returning families face the daunting challenge of rebuilding their lives from the ground up.
After years as refugees in Lebanon, some Syrian families are now returning home, but many are coming back to destroyed neighborhoods and limited services.
Still, for many here, returning to Syria is about rebuilding their lives in the place they still call home.
Coming home is only the beginning, and families like the Barakats are finally starting over.
Displaced Syrians return home to rebuild amid destruction
