China's top diplomat Wang Yi met with Russian presidential aide and chairman of the Maritime Board Nikolai Patrushev in Beijing on Monday.
Conveying President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings to President Putin, Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, said the close communication between the two heads of state led bilateral relations to a higher quality and a higher level.
Under the guidance of the two heads of state, the strategic mutual trust between China and Russia has become more solid, cooperation in various fields has become more resilient, and multilateral coordination has been tightened, said Wang.
Wang noted that China and Russia both shoulder important responsibilities in international maritime affairs and have broad prospects for cooperation, adding that China stands ready to work with Russia to enhance the alignment of maritime strategies between the two countries.
Wang expressed congratulations on the State Duma election in Russia last month, noting that the results fully demonstrated the common will of the Russian people.
Patrushev conveyed President Putin's sincere greetings to President Xi, adding that maintaining close exchanges between the two heads of state is the best guarantee for the development of bilateral relations.
Russia is willing to enhance cooperation with China in areas such as multilateral maritime governance, draw on China's useful experience in shipbuilding, logistics, maritime trade and other fields, and join hands with China to promote the building of a maritime community with a shared future, adding a new dimension to the comprehensive strategic coordination between Russia and China, said Patrushev.
China's top diplomat meets Russian presidential aide
China has significant advantages in hosting the secretariat of the UN-backed treaty on marine conservation and biodiversity, said President of the Council of Ministers of Togo Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe during a visit to the coastal city of Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province.
The Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, also known as the High Seas Treaty, officially entered into force in January 2026. With the secretariat's location still undecided, China has applied to host the body in Xiamen.
During his visit to China from October 9 to 16, Gnassingbe toured a marine research institute in the city and praised the city's capacity to serve as host. Marking his seventh official visit to China and second trip to Xiamen, Gnassingbe described the city's rapid development as impressive and remarkable.
"I was here 31 years ago. Admittedly, when this city was first proposed in the schedule, my initial reaction, given that China has so many cities, was to wonder if I could go somewhere else. However, upon arriving in your city just now, I let myself be persuaded, and did not recognize the place I had known three decades ago at all. The development has been extraordinary; new buildings have sprung up, and the infrastructure has been greatly expanded," Gnassingbe said.
Speaking about the landmark UN treaty on protecting marine biodiversity in international waters, Gnassingbe recognized China's rich maritime tradition and research and development capacity, calling Xiamen well-positioned for the international organ.
He also expressed high expectations that the secretariat would help African countries strengthen their marine research capabilities and improve access to ocean data.
"I believe your country possesses tremendous assets. First, you have a widely recognized maritime tradition. You have modern infrastructure -- we saw the building that could serve as the secretariat's headquarters in an earlier video, so the infrastructure conditions are optimal. You also have experience; China honors its international commitments. Furthermore, you possess significant research capabilities. Your development is linked to port activities and technology. Regarding the protection of the marine environment, an area where you have strong credentials, this city is exceptionally well-positioned and equipped to host this institution," he said.
Togo's president of Council of Ministers backs China in hosting High Seas Treaty secretariat in Xiamen
