The expert spoke about the prospects for expanding cooperation between Russia and China

The trade turnover between Russia and China is growing at a double-digit pace in 2026 against the background of the Russian Federation's commodity export model and the strengthening of Chinese industrial imports. Andrey Kogan, the founder of the All-China company, Chairman of the Committee for Work with the PRC of the Association of Exporters and Importers, told Izvestia on May 21.

According to him, the growth of more than 10% in 2026 confirms the stability of the "Russian raw materials — Chinese industry and consumer market" link. According to the customs statistics of the People's Republic of China, in the first months of the year, trade continued to accelerate: in January–February, it increased by about 12%, and in January–April — by almost 20% in dollar terms.

The expert noted that the structure of trade between the countries remains steadily divided. Russia still earns mainly through the supply of energy, metals and agricultural raw materials. Among the key drivers, he names oil, gas, coal, as well as gold and silver, for which demand in China remains high amid changes in the global economy.

"For Russian raw materials companies, the Chinese market has actually become a major external destination with stable volumes and stable demand. At the same time, imports from China to Russia are growing faster than exports, he said. The growth in the supply of industrial equipment, automobiles, household appliances and electronics is particularly noticeable. In the first months of 2026, imports of machinery and electronic goods increased by almost 25% in dollar terms," Kogan stressed.

Kogan pointed out that China actually occupies key positions in the segments of mechanical engineering and consumer electronics, while Russia retains its specialization in raw materials and energy products. This model, he said, reflects the "division of roles" in trade between the two countries.

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The expert also drew attention to the fact that Chinese industry and domestic brands are strengthening their positions in the Russian market, while the capabilities of Russian companies in the high-tech and consumer segments of China remain limited.

"China's high—tech and consumer markets are already occupied by national manufacturers, so for Russian companies it is more often about niche projects, cooperation or localization, rather than direct mass exports," he explained.

According to Kogan, despite the discussion of joint projects in logistics, energy and technology, the access of Russian non-primary goods to the Chinese market remains fragmented and requires systematic work in each individual niche. The further development of trade will depend not only on the commodity structure, but also on the expansion of infrastructure, including settlements in national currencies, logistics and e—commerce, which are still at the stage of development rather than mass adoption.

On May 20, Russian President Vladimir Putin, at a meeting with Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Li Qiang, said that the growth of trade turnover between Russia and China this year exceeds 10%. He added that trade cooperation will continue in accordance with the approved long-term strategies.

In addition, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that the trade exchange between Russia and China has exceeded $200 billion for the third year in a row. The Chinese leader called the results achieved over the years of cooperation between Moscow and Beijing "constantly admirable." He pointed out the importance of deepening this cooperation with the same dynamics.