🇷🇺🇨🇳 President of Russia Vladimir Putin held a meeting with Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China Li Qiang (St Petersburg, October 21, 2026) 💬 Vladimir Putin: Allow me to extend a cordial welcome to you here in St Petersburg. First of all, I would like to ask you to convey my best wishes to my friend, President Xi Jinping. We have already met three times this year (1, 2, 3) , and, as agreed, we will have an opportunity to meet again at the APEC Summit in Shenzhen this November. The Russia-China Summit talks produced new key agreements on developing bilateral relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation. The main efforts to implement them are, of course, being undertaken by our two Governments. The government is precisely the body responsible for putting all our main areas of cooperation into practice. Today, you and Prime Minister of Russia Mikhail Mishustin held the 31st regular meeting of the Russian and Chinese heads of government. Over its 30 years, this mechanism has proved effective and valuable. We are grateful for your personal contribution to developing Russian-Chinese ties and for the constructive approach that your colleagues in the Government of China take to all these matters. ☝️ Overall, I would like to note that relations between Russia and China are developing very successfully and dynamically. They are based on the principles of equality, mutual respect, mutual benefit and consideration for each other’s interests. Our relations do not depend on the international situation and are not directed against anyone. Trade and economic ties are growing, and we will continue to expand practical cooperation in all key areas. We are working together in energy, information technology, space and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. I would like to highlight the substantial progress in agricultural trade: turnover increased by 34% in the first eight months of 2026. Cooperation in the humanitarian sphere is also growing stronger. Events under the cross Years of Education, which President Xi Jinping and I officially launched in Beijing in May, are proceeding successfully. I know that a major event in China’s domestic political life – the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China – will take place next week, on October 26-29. 🤝 I wish our Chinese friends every success in holding this important event. Read in full #RussiaChina