Russia-China Relations Soar to New Heights

Chinese General Secretary Xi Jinping expressed his eagerness to lift the China-Russia partnership to “a new height” during a video call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.

The call followed the flurry of executive orders passed by United States President Donald Trump on his first day in office. Xi and Putin confirmed they would navigate the uncertainties of this new era hand in hand.

Mushrooming trade: Trade between Russia and China rose to $244.8 billion last year, according to Reuters, driven largely by Russian energy sold to the Chinese. This trade increase is part of a pattern of growing cooperation between Russia and China.

• Trade between the two nations hit a record high of $240 billion in 2023.
• Since the outbreak of Russia’s war on Ukraine, both nations have increased their use of the yuan, moving away from the U.S. dollar.
• Almost all of Russia’s oil exports in 2023 went to China, and exports reached a record high in 2024.
• Putin has called on Russia’s largest bank to increase cooperation with China in artificial intelligence.
• China has been instrumental in sending Russia banned militarily useful items to continued its war on Ukraine.

Closer: Faced with the prospect of a stronger U.S., these Asian powerhouses are doubling down on their allegiance. Bible prophecy shows this relationship will continue to strengthen in the coming years.

To understand more, read our Trends article “Why the Trumpet Watches Russia Allying With China.”