Russia and China deepen partnership with 40 agreements and Siberia‑2 pipeline deal

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Beijing and signed roughly 40 inter‑governmental documents covering economics, energy, transport, defence, education and media. The agreements expand bilateral trade to about $240 billion, with transactions largely in rubles and yuan, and pledge a new Siberia‑2 gas pipeline delivering up to 50 billion cubic metres per year at discounted prices.

Both leaders issued a joint statement expressing concern over the "confrontational policies" of some countries, warning against unilateral attempts to shape global affairs and calling for a multipolar world order. They endorsed dialogue to resolve the Ukraine conflict, highlighted criticism of EU militarisation, and pledged to increase rail freight and other transport links between China and Europe via Russian routes. Military cooperation was also reaffirmed, with plans for more joint exercises, patrols and shared security initiatives.