Trade turnover between the two nations topped $200 billion for the third consecutive year, Igor Morgulov has told RT
Russia and China have continued to rapidly expand their bilateral relationship across economic, diplomatic, and people-to-people channels in 2025, with trade turnover exceeding $200 billion for a third consecutive year, Moscow’s ambassador to Beijing, Igor Morgulov, has told RT.
In an interview aired on Thursday, the envoy suggested that this year was “very successful for the development of our relations,” adding that Russian-Chinese ties “were deepened and strengthened in almost all directions.”
He said 2025 was also marked by the 80th anniversary of the shared victory in World War II. “The fraternity of our countries is still one of the important elements of our strategic partnership,” the envoy said.
Morgulov noted that the symbolism was underscored by reciprocal high-level visits, with Russian President Vladimir Putin attending ceremonies in Beijing on September 3 marking victory over Japan and Chinese President Xi Jinping being the main guest at Moscow’s Victory Day celebrations on May 9.
The envoy highlighted that China remains one of Russia’s top trading partners and that, despite a modest 7.8 % drop over the past 11 months, bilateral trade still topped $203 billion. “This is a serious achievement,” he said.
Morgulov noted that he “would not dramatize too much” the slight reduction, attributing it to natural market adjustments after trade expanded by nearly $100 billion over three years.
The diplomat said Western sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine conflict have affected trade but stressed that Russia and China have built effective mechanisms to sustain growth. According to Morgulov, both Russia and China treat Western sanctions as “illegal” and aimed exclusively at restraining the ties between the two countries.
He also highlighted promising logistics cooperation, citing a recent Chinese container ship voyage from Ningbo to a British port via the Northern Sea Route in 20 days, compared with 30-40 days through the Suez Canal.
Morgulov added that people-to-people ties are expanding following the mutual cancellation of tourist visas. China lifted visa requirements on September 15, and Russia followed suit on December 1, leading to a 40% increase in Russian tourist flows to China since mid-September, he said.
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