Chinese vice premier calls for closer China-Russia regional cooperation at Eastern Economic Forum

China and Russia should strengthen synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the development of the Eurasian Economic Union, and further align China's Northeast revitalization strategy with Russia's Far East development strategy, Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang said on Thursday.

Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while addressing the 11th Eastern Economic Forum in Russia's Far Eastern city of Vladivostok.

Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state over the years, China-Russia regional cooperation, especially between China's Northeast and Russia's Far East, has delivered fruitful results, Ding said.

China remains the largest trading partner of Russia's Far East, he said, adding that key cooperation projects are moving forward faster and the mutual visa-free policy has boosted both cross-border passenger flows and cargo trade.

He suggested that China and Russia stay close to the people's needs, strengthen mutual support between regions, develop industries with distinctive local features, and ensure that the two peoples gain more tangible benefits from development and revitalization.

He called on both sides to promptly address business concerns, maintain policy continuity and stability, and create favorable conditions for businesses to grow.

He encouraged the two sides to deepen exchanges and cooperation in areas such as culture, tourism, education, and youth, and ensure the success of various activities under the China-Russia Years of Education.

He said China and Russia should safeguard regional peace and stability, jointly uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international fairness and justice, and deter any attempts to challenge the outcomes of World War II and the post-war international order.

China has the confidence, capability and conditions to maintain steady and healthy economic development, Ding said, adding that China remains committed to expanding high-standard opening up and welcomes foreign businesses to continue investing and deepening their presence in China.

Chinese vice premier calls for closer China-Russia regional cooperation at Eastern Economic Forum

The Chinese military is ready to work with the militaries of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to further broaden and deepen defense and security cooperation, Defense Ministry spokesman Jiang Bin said at a press conference in Beijing on Friday.

Jiang's remarks followed Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent trip to the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, where he attended the SCO Summit 2026 and paid a state visit to Kyrgyzstan.

"President Xi recently attended the 26th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO and delivered important remarks, noting that China stands ready to work with all parties to act on the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and make the SCO an important platform for implementing the Global Security Initiative," said Jiang.

"Security is the bedrock of development, and peace the source of prosperity. SCO member states attach great importance to defense and security cooperation. We have convened the SCO Defense Ministers' Meetings and the Meetings of the Chiefs of General Staff of SCO Militaries on multiple occasions, conducted Peace Mission joint counter-terrorism exercises and Peace Horn military tattoo, carried out professional exchanges in such fields as military medicine, military transportation and military translation, and hosted seminars for senior military officers, the SCO Junior-and-Middle-Level Officers' Exchange, and the SCO Plus Young Scholars' Salon. Amid a changing and volatile international landscape, the SCO has served as an anchor of stability and achieved important results in safeguarding regional security and stability and responding to various threats and challenges," said the spokesman.

"Standing at the new starting point of the SCO's 25th anniversary, the Chinese military is ready to work with the militaries of SCO member states to adhere to the original aspiration of the SCO, carry forward the Shanghai Spirit, implement the important consensus newly reached at the SCO summit and the Bishkek Declaration, further broaden and deepen defense and security cooperation, and contribute to building a community with a shared future for humanity," he said.

SCO to further broaden, deepen defense, security cooperation: spokesman