The key facts
- Putin and Li Qiang met at the Constantine Palace in St. Petersburg
- 34% growth in agricultural trade turnover in the first eight months of 2026
- Possible meeting of the leaders at the APEC summit in Shenzhen in November
Meeting in St. Petersburg
Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 21 received Chinese State Council Premier Li Qiang, who arrived in St. Petersburg, at the Constantine Palace. According to the Kremlin press service, the parties discussed expanding cooperation in trade, agriculture, energy, technology and other areas. Putin asked Li to convey his best wishes to PRC Chairman Xi Jinping, noting that the leaders of the two countries had met three times this year and could see each other again at the APEC summit in Shenzhen in November.
Mechanism of intergovernmental meetings
The Russian president recalled that earlier the same day Li Qiang and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin held the 31st regular meeting of the heads of government of the two countries. According to Putin, the mechanism, created 30 years ago, has proven its effectiveness and remains relevant. He added that recent high-level talks made it possible to reach key agreements on the development of strategic interaction and comprehensive partnership, and that implementing these agreements is the task of the governments.
Assessment of relations and areas of interaction
Putin stated that Russia-China relations are developing successfully and dynamically, based on equality, mutual respect, mutual benefit and consideration of each other's interests. According to him, these relations do not depend on the international situation and are not directed against anyone. He named energy, information technology, space exploration and peaceful nuclear energy as priority areas, and also noted the growth of agricultural trade: agricultural trade turnover in the first eight months of 2026 grew by 34%. Humanitarian cooperation, he added, is strengthening within the framework of the cross years of education, officially launched in May in Beijing by the two presidents.
Statements by the Chinese side
Li Qiang conveyed to Putin greetings and best wishes from Xi Jinping and noted that this visit was his third to Russia since his appointment as Premier of the State Council of the PRC. He said that at every visit he felt the sincerity and friendliness of the Russian people. Against the backdrop of international turbulence and, in his words, the growth of unilateralism and hegemonism, the close ties between Moscow and Beijing serve as a stabilizing factor in the world. 'China is ready to work with Russia on the basis of the agreements reached at the highest level, continuously deepen mutual trust and expand multilateral mutually beneficial cooperation for the benefit of our peoples,' Li said. He also expressed confidence in Russia's development under Putin's leadership and China's readiness to continue advancing relations in accordance with the plans outlined by the two presidents.
