The former Russian ambassador spoke about the details of economic cooperation between Moscow and Beijing

Economic cooperation between Russia and China continues to strengthen despite external pressure, and the bilateral partnership encompasses trade, investment, industrial cooperation, and major infrastructure projects. This was announced on July 24 by Andrei Denisov, First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs and former Russian Ambassador to China, as part of the Good Neighbors educational project dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Treaty on Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation between the Russian Federation and China.

"It is obvious that cooperation between economic players such as Russia and China, as well as neighbors, can and should be mutually beneficial. Back then, the 2001 Agreement stipulated that the parties were developing cooperation in the trade and economic sphere and a number of economic sectors on the basis of mutual benefit. For economists, for businesses, this means a simple thing. There is a large political and legal framework that maintains a long distance, reduces turbulence and gives cooperation a systemic character," Denisov explained.

The former Russian ambassador noted that relevant intergovernmental commissions and working groups play an important role in the development of bilateral relations. They help to remove trade barriers, coordinate new areas of cooperation, resolve business issues and support joint projects. According to him, it is precisely this kind of institutional system that allows Russian-Chinese cooperation to develop consistently and maintain stability even in the face of a changing external environment.

He stressed that the result of this work is the growth of mutual trade. In 2023, the trade turnover between Russia and China reached a record $240 billion at that time, and in 2024 it reached a maximum of $244 billion. In 2025, the volume of trade remained at about $240 billion, while its structure expanded, the share of high-value-added products increased, and cooperation began to cover industry, transport, agriculture, digital platforms, logistics, and financial settlements.

Green noise: Hybrids and electric cars dominated the Beijing Auto Show

What new products from Beijing can reach Russia

Denisov paid special attention to investment cooperation. According to him, the relevant intergovernmental commission currently accompanies more than 80 joint projects worth about $200 billion. As an example, he cited the Haval plant of the Chinese automaker in the Tula region, where the production of cars and engines is already operating, as well as a joint project between Sibur and Sinopec to produce rubbers in China. According to Denisov, such initiatives indicate the transition of the Russian-Chinese partnership from trade to deep industrial cooperation.

"In 2024, the volume of Chinese direct investment in Russia increased by 13%. This is definitely a positive signal for healthy interaction between our economies, because this very FDI indicator of foreign direct investment is always an indicator of trust and mutual trust. Direct investments go to places where they believe in the market, in the rules, in the future, and in long-term returns. This means that the growth of Chinese direct investment in Russia is a confirmation that the Russian—Chinese economic partnership is becoming more meaningful and structured," he said.

Denisov also spoke about the joint work on the development of the Far East and the border territories. He named the Blagoveshchensk—Heihe automobile bridge as one of the most notable projects, which made it possible to reduce logistics routes, speed up transportation and create new business opportunities. According to him, the territories of advanced development, the free port of Vladivostok and the Chinese free trade zones, where joint investment and logistics projects are being implemented, contribute to the development of cooperation.

Reasonable Alliance: why Russia and China are creating WAICO

The World Organization for Cooperation in the Field of Artificial Intelligence was established in Shanghai.

Energy occupies a special place in the Russian-Chinese partnership. Denisov noted that cooperation between the two countries covers oil and gas supplies, the development of the electric power industry, the nuclear industry and new areas related to low-carbon technologies. He recalled that the Power of Siberia gas pipeline has already become a symbol of long–term cooperation, and promising routes, including the Power of Siberia - 2, should strengthen the connectivity of the energy infrastructure of Russia and China.

"Russian-Chinese business relations do not exist in isolation from global processes. They are being integrated into a broader framework, such as the economic integration of the Eurasian Economic Union and China, as well as work in promising global formats, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS. After all, the reality is that we live in an era of pressure, attempts to sever the usual economic ties, to force countries to trade with the permission of certain third parties. And against this background, business cooperation between Russia and China has become not just convenient for both sides, but strategically important," concluded the former Russian ambassador.

The "Good Neighbors" project is organized by ON Media Holding together with Sputnik Radio, the Media Corporation of China (CMG) and the Izvestia TV channel. The initiative is dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation between Russia and China. This is a series of video stories about how the partnership between Moscow and Beijing can already affect everyone.

The presenters of the "Good Neighbors" project were Chairman of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko, Head of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science Valery Falkov, official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova and First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs Andrei Denisov.

An example to maintain: Putin and Xi called the relations between Russia and China a model for other countries

Why did the West react so violently to the visit of the Russian president and what does the "law of the jungle" have to do with it

Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a plenary session on June 5 that Russia has equal relations with China and other partners. The Russian leader also called the cooperation between Moscow and Beijing very close and mutually beneficial. Vice President of the People's Republic of China Han Zheng, in turn, noted that the joint cooperation between China and Russia is steadily growing.

As part of the "Good Neighbors" project, Russian Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov announced on July 21 that Russia and China intend to consistently deepen cooperation in the field of high technologies and innovations, combining the scientific and research potential of the two countries. The states also cooperate in advanced areas, from the use of megascience—class installations to deep-sea and space research, consistently increasing investments in basic science and the exchange of scientific developments.