The volume of trade between Russia and China in 2024 reached US$ 245 billion, representing an increase of 1.9% over the previous year. The information was released by General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China on Monday (13).
In an interview with the Russian news agency RIA Novosti, the Chinese ambassador to Russia, Zhang Hanhui, said that economic cooperation between the two countries had withstood the challenges posed by "complex and profound changes in the global political and commercial system."
Hanhui pointed out that China has been Russia's largest trading partner for 14 consecutive years, and Russia has risen to eighth place among China's trading partners.
"The development of trade relations between China and Russia is in the interests of both countries and is not and should not be subject to the influence of external factors. In the face of growing challenges, it is especially important to strengthen our resilience, determination, and confidence. I am confident that through joint efforts we will make Sino-Russian cooperation more sustainable and identify new opportunities that will yield better outcomes," he said.
According to the data released, China supplied goods worth US$ 115.499 billion to Russia during the period indicated by the study, marking an increase of 4.1% compared to 2023. Meanwhile, Russia's supplies to China remained at the 2023 level, totaling US$ 129.32 billion.
In December 2024 alone, the trade volume between the two countries reached US$ 21.973 billion, with Russia exporting US$ 10.67 billion worth of goods to China. Chinese sales to Russia amounted to US$ 11.303 billion in that period.
Russia and Iran will sign a strategic partnership agreement
Another country with which Russia has been strengthening relations is Iran, which, like China, is also part of the BRICS+ group, joining the group in 2023.
On Friday (17), Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will pay an official visit to Russia, where he will meet with President Vladimir Putin. During the meeting, a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement is scheduled to be signed between Russia and Iran.
A statement from the Kremlin indicated that discussions are expected to cover prospects for further expanding bilateral cooperation. This includes areas such as trade and investment, transportation, logistics, humanitarian efforts, and pressing regional and international issues.
Both Russia and Iran face heavy Western sanctions, which include restrictions on their energy sectors. Last year, during the first meeting between Putin and Pezeshkian, the Russian leader stated that Iran's and Russia's positions on international issues are often “aligned,” and relations with Tehran are “a priority for Moscow.”
