For three days, the entire Western world sat with bated breath, waiting for any information from Moscow, where the Chinese leader had several meetings, the most important of which was with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russian state media reported.

The leaders of the two countries signed a number of documents on the expansion of cooperation in various fields: from trade and industry to science and the military sphere. It was also about the prospects for peace in Ukraine.

Speaking to reporters, Putin said relations between China and Russia are “at the highest level in history” and trade and economic cooperation is a priority.

What did Putin and Xi Jinping agree on?

Economy and trade

Last year between China and Russia reached a record level, increased by 30 percent, partly due to the West’s attempts to impose an embargo on Moscow, Pravda notes.

Economists forecast two-way trade to top $200 billion in 2023, with two-thirds of that denominated in yuan and roubles, as both countries try to use the dollar less and less.

Putin and Xi talked about expanding trade, further developing cross-border logistics and infrastructure, expanding cooperation in agriculture to ensure food security of both countries, and improving cooperation in the exchange of energy, minerals, metals and chemicals.

China and Russia have pledged to expand cooperation in technology, information technology and artificial intelligence.

“By combining our rich scientific potential and production capabilities, Russia and China can become world leaders in the field of information technology, network security and artificial intelligence,” Putin told reporters.

A new military partnership

Putin called the relationship between Russia and China different from the military-political alliances formed during the Cold War.

Moscow and Beijing agreed to “regularly conduct joint sea and air patrols and joint exercises,” develop military exchanges and cooperation using all available bilateral mechanisms, and increase mutual trust between their armed forces.

“Strengthening relations with Russia is a strategic choice that China has made based on its own core interests and the world’s dominant trends,” Xi Jinping said, stressing that the two countries “share a commitment to building a multipolar world.”

A peace proposal for Ukraine

The Russian president praised China’s proposed “peace road map” in February, saying that many of its elements “can be taken as a basis for a peaceful settlement when the West and Kyiv are ready.”

However, as Putin noted, currently neither Ukraine nor its Western sponsors are ready to discuss peace. Representatives of the White House and the US State Department opposed any ceasefire in Ukraine.

“We are always in favor of peace and dialogue, and we firmly stand on the right side of history,” Xi said.

Contracts have been signed

During the three days of the Chinese leader’s state visit to Moscow, 14 declarations, protocols, memoranda and agreements were signed.

• In two joint statements, Russia and China promised to “deepen relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation as we enter a new era” and develop a plan for the development of key areas of economic cooperation until 2030.

• The Ministries of Science of the two countries signed a protocol on strengthening cooperation in the field of “scientific research”.

• Protocol services have established a mechanism for regular presidential meetings in the future.

• The governments of Moscow and Beijing agreed on cooperation in the production of joint television programs.

• VGTRK and China Media Group signed a memorandum of cooperation.

• State news agencies TASS and Xinhua agreed on the exchange of information.

• Six additional Memoranda of Understanding covered trade, forestry, agriculture, consumer protection and infrastructure in the Russian Far East.

• “Rosatom” and the China Atomic Energy Agency agreed on a “comprehensive program of long-term cooperation in the field of fast neutron reactors and closure of the nuclear fuel cycle.”