China-Russia Ties in Focus as Xi Prepares for 11th visit to Moscow
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition on Monday, May 05, 2025.
Page 1: The lead story today confirms that Xi Jinping will be visiting Russia to attend the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War in Moscow. A spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said:
Currently, the changes unseen in a century are accelerating in evolution, and the international order is undergoing profound adjustments. President Xi Jinping and President Putin, standing on the heights of history and strategy, have led China-Russia relations in the new era to always forge ahead with determination under the complex external environment, displaying the distinctive characteristics of permanent good-neighbourly friendship, comprehensive strategic coordination, and mutually beneficial cooperation with win-win results. The spokesperson said that during President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Russia, he will engage in strategic communication with President Putin on the development of China-Russia relations under the new situation and a series of major international and regional issues. It is believed that the important consensus reached by the two heads of state will further deepen the political mutual trust between China and Russia, enrich the content of strategic coordination, promote practical cooperation in various fields, bring more benefits to the people of both countries, and contribute more stability and positive energy to the international community. 发言人表示，当前，百年变局加速演进，国际秩序深刻调整。习近平主席和普京总统立足历史和战略高度，引领新时代中俄关系在复杂的外部环境下始终坚毅前行，展现出永久睦邻友好、全面战略协作、互利合作共赢的鲜明特质。发言人说，习近平主席此次应邀对俄罗斯进行国事访问期间，将同普京总统就新形势下中俄关系发展以及一系列国际和地区重大问题进行战略沟通。相信两国元首达成的重要共识必将进一步深化中俄政治互信，丰富战略协作内涵，促进各领域务实合作，给两国人民带来更多福祉，为国际社会贡献更多稳定性和正能量.
The spokesperson pointed out that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War, and the World Anti-Fascist War. As the two main battlefields in Asia and Europe during World War II, China and Russia made enormous sacrifices and significant historical contributions to winning the World Anti-Fascist War and saving their respective nations from peril and the fate of humanity. President Xi Jinping and President Putin have reached a consensus to jointly remember history, commemorate the martyrs, promote the correct view of World War II history, uphold the results of the World War II victory and the post-war international order, and defend international fairness and justice. At this special historical juncture, accepting the invitation to attend the 80th anniversary celebration in Moscow commemorating the victory of the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War is an important part of President Xi’s visit, and also the due meaning of China and Russia mutually supporting each other in holding commemoration activities for the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War. 发言人指出，今年是中国人民抗日战争、苏联伟大卫国战争暨世界反法西斯战争胜利80周年。中俄两国作为二战亚洲和欧洲两个主战场，为赢得世界反法西斯战争胜利，挽救各自民族危亡和人类前途命运付出了巨大牺牲，作出了重大历史贡献。习近平主席和普京总统已达成共识，将共同铭记历史，缅怀先烈，弘扬正确二战史观，维护二战胜利成果和战后国际秩序，捍卫国际公平正义。在这一特殊历史节点，应邀出席在莫斯科举行的纪念苏联伟大卫国战争胜利80周年庆典是习近平主席此访一项重要内容，也是中俄相互支持对方举办世界反法西斯战争胜利80周年纪念活动的应有之义.
The spokesperson stated that this year also marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN. As founding members of the UN and permanent members of the Security Council, China and Russia shoulder special and important responsibilities in maintaining the international system with the UN at its core. The two countries will further strengthen their close coordination in the UN, SCO, BRICS and other multilateral platforms, rally the Global South, shape global governance in the right direction, unequivocally oppose acts of unilateralism and bullying, and jointly promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation. 发言人表示，今年还是联合国成立80周年。中俄同为联合国创始国和安理会常任理事国，在维护以联合国为核心的国际体系方面肩负特殊重要责任。中俄双方将进一步加强在联合国、上海合作组织、金砖国家等多边平台的密切协作，团结广大全球南方，引领全球治理正确方向，旗帜鲜明反对单边主义和霸凌行径，携手推动平等有序的世界多极化、普惠包容的经济全球化.
Also on the page is a feature about the China-Russia relationship. This informs that Xi and Putin have met 40 times since Xi assumed power. He has visited Russia 10 times as President. Referencing the commemorative activities planned, the article says that:
“China and Russia will take this opportunity to jointly promote the correct view of the history of World War II, jointly defend the international system with the UN at its core and the results of the victory of the Second World War, promote all countries to abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, adhere to the universally recognised basic norms of international relations, practice true multilateralism, and promote world peace and development.” 中俄两国将以此为契机，共同弘扬正确二战史观，共同捍卫以联合国为核心的国际体系和第二次世界大战胜利成果，推动各国恪守联合国宪章宗旨和原则，坚持普遍公认的国际关系基本准则，践行真正的多边主义，促进世界和平发展.
The first section of the article begins with this “no matter how the international situation changes, China-Russia relations will move forward calmly.” 任凭国际风云变幻，中俄关系都将从容前行
“China and Russia are each other’s largest neighbours and comprehensive strategic coordination partners, both are major world powers and permanent members of the UN Security Council. For nearly 76 years, China and Russia have explored the correct way for major neighbouring countries to get along, establishing a new model of state-to-state relations characterised by permanent good-neighbourliness, comprehensive strategic coordination, and mutually beneficial cooperation for win-win results. Leadership by the heads of state is the greatest political advantage and fundamental guarantee for maintaining the high-level operation of China-Russia relations. The two heads of state have met more than 40 times on different occasions, establishing deep political mutual trust and personal friendship. Since the new era, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, political mutual trust between the two sides has continuously deepened, practical cooperation has yielded remarkable results, generational friendship has taken root in people’s hearts, and international strategic coordination has been continuously consolidated and deepened. ‘The stable development of China-Russia relations not only serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and their peoples but also contributes to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world.’ In May 2024, when President Xi Jinping held talks with President Putin who was on a state visit to China, he pointed out, ‘China is willing to always be a trustworthy good neighbour, good friend, and good partner with Russia, continuously consolidate the friendship between the two peoples for generations, jointly achieve the development and revitalisation of their respective countries, and work together to maintain fairness and justice in the world.’ President Putin said that the establishment and development of Russia-China relations are based on principles such as good-neighbourliness, mutual respect, and assistance for each other’s national development, and have withstood various tests. Russia appreciates China’s objective and fair position on major international and regional affairs and is willing to continue close strategic coordination with China, firmly support each other, promote the process of world multi-polarisation and democratisation of international relations, and push for more achievements in the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination.” 中俄互为最大邻国和全面战略协作伙伴，同为世界主要大国和联合国安理会常任理事国。近76年来，中俄探索出相邻大国的正确相处之道，树立了永久睦邻友好、全面战略协作、互利合作共赢的新型国家间关系典范。元首引领是中俄关系保持高水平运行的最大政治优势和根本保障。两位元首在不同场合会面已超过40次，建立起深厚的政治互信和个人友谊。新时代以来，在两国元首战略引领下，双方政治互信持续加深，务实合作成果显著，世代友好深入人心，国际战略协作持续巩固和深化。“中俄关系稳定发展，不仅符合两国和两国人民的根本利益，也有利于地区乃至世界的和平、稳定、繁荣。”2024年5月，习近平主席在同来华进行国事访问的普京总统举行会谈时指出，“中方愿始终同俄方做彼此信赖的好邻居、好朋友、好伙伴，不断巩固两国人民世代友好，共同实现各自国家发展振兴，携手维护世界公平正义。”普京总统表示，俄中关系的建立和发展，基于睦邻友好、相互尊重、助力各自国家发展等原则，经受住了各种考验。俄方赞赏中方在重大国际地区事务中秉持客观公正立场，愿同中方继续密切战略协作，坚定相互支持，促进世界多极化和国际关系民主化进程，推动俄中全面战略协作伙伴关系取得更多成果.
“Practical cooperation is the most important endogenous driving force for the continuous development of China-Russia relations. Facing the global headwinds against development, China-Russia practical cooperation has forged ahead, maintaining good momentum of stable quantity and improving quality. In 2024, bilateral trade between China and Russia reached a new high, exceeding $244 billion, reflecting the deepening all-round mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. Diversified channels such as railways, highways, and aviation between the two countries are smooth, facilitating the convenient movement of goods and people; cooperation in emerging fields such as scientific and technological innovation, automobile manufacturing, cross-border e-commerce, and medical devices has shown vigour, and the structure of economic and trade cooperation is becoming increasingly optimised. People-to-people exchanges are an important bond for promoting mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. Educational cooperation between China and Russia is deepening, with the number of exchange students in both directions continuously rising; local cooperation mechanisms such as ‘Northeast-Far East’ and ‘Yangtze River-Volga River’ are steadily advancing, with vibrant cooperation between friendly provinces and cities … China-Russia relations have strong endogenous momentum and unique strategic value, are not directed against any third party, and are not affected by any third party. The generational friendship and all-round cooperation between the two countries have converged into a powerful driving force for both sides to move forward fearlessly through any storm. As President Xi Jinping pointed out: ‘no matter how the international situation changes, China-Russia relations will move forward calmly’.” 务实合作是中俄关系持续发展最重要的内生动力。面对全球发展逆流，中俄务实合作破浪前行，保持量稳质升的良好态势。2024年，中俄双边贸易额再创新高，超过2440亿美元，是两国不断深化全方位互利合作的缩影。两国铁路、公路、航空等多元化通道畅通，货物和人员往来便捷；科技创新、汽车制造、跨境电商、医疗器械等新兴领域合作活力涌现，经贸合作结构日趋优化。人文交流是促进两国人民相知相亲的重要纽带。中俄教育合作日益深入，双向留学生人数持续攀升；“东北—远东”“长江—伏尔加河”等地方合作机制稳步推进，友好省州及城市合作活力充盈。去年5月，2024—2025年中俄文化年隆重开幕，两国文化交流的“马拉松盛会”由此开启。中国舞剧《咏春》赴俄绽放东方魅力，俄罗斯歌剧《叶甫盖尼·奥涅金》来华唱响经典；“食味中华——中华古代饮食文化展”走进克里姆林宫博物馆，“永恒之境”2025俄罗斯主题摄影、雕塑艺术展落地山东潍坊……“你来我往”的双向奔赴，成为中俄关系高水平发展的鲜活注脚。中俄关系具有强大内生动力和独特战略价值，不针对第三方，也不受任何第三方影响。两国世代友好和全方位合作已经汇聚成双方不畏风雨、不断前行的强大动力。正如习近平主席所指出的：“任凭国际风云变幻，中俄关系都将从容前行”.
The second section of the article talks about the commemoration that Xi will be attending in Moscow. It concludes with this:
“The painful lessons of World War II tell people that the law of the jungle and the strong preying on the weak are not the way for humanity to coexist. Blindly pursuing ‘one’s own country first’ and power-based hegemony is not the path to peace for humanity. Winner-takes-all and zero-sum games are not the path for human development. Peace rather than war, cooperation rather than confrontation, win-win rather than zero-sum, these are the eternal themes of peace, progress, and development in human society. As the major victorious nations of World War II, founding members of the UN, and permanent members of the Security Council, China and Russia shoulder the mission of maintaining world peace and security and promoting human development and progress.” 铭记历史，为了更好前行。二战的惨痛教训告诉人们，弱肉强食、丛林法则不是人类共存之道。一味追求“本国优先”、强权独霸不是人类和平之策。赢者通吃、零和博弈不是人类发展之路。和平而不是战争，合作而不是对抗，共赢而不是零和，才是人类社会和平、进步、发展的永恒主题。作为二战主要战胜国、联合国创始国和安理会常任理事国，中俄肩负着维护世界和平和安全、推动人类发展进步的使命.
The final section says:
“As major countries and neighbours with global influence, China-Russia relations not only concern both sides but also profoundly affect the global landscape. In May last year, President Xi Jinping held a restricted/limited scale meeting (小范围会晤) with President Putin in Zhongnanhai. In the early summer season at Zhongnanhai, a gentle breeze blew, and the water glistened with shimmering light. The two sat by the water, savouring tea, and had in-depth exchanges on strategic issues of common concern in a relaxed atmosphere. ‘China is willing to work with Russia and other countries to strengthen unity and cooperation, lead the correct direction of global governance, jointly maintain international fairness and justice, and promote world peace and common development,’ President Xi Jinping emphasised. ‘Russia is willing to strengthen cooperation with China and other Global South countries to promote international fairness and justice and push for the establishment of a more equal and multipolar world’, President Putin replied. The more turbulent the world becomes, the more necessary it is for China and Russia to strengthen strategic coordination. From addressing climate change to strengthening global AI governance, from combating terrorism to promoting political solutions to hotspot issues ... China and Russia have always been defenders and practitioners of multilateralism, firmly maintaining the international system with the UN at its core and the international order based on international law. They closely coordinate and cooperate on multilateral platforms such as the UN, APEC, and the G20, promoting an equal and orderly world multi-polarisation and inclusive economic globalisation through true multilateralism. 加强团结合作，引领全球治理正确方向作为具有全球影响的大国和邻国，中俄关系不仅关乎彼此，更深刻影响世界格局。去年5月，习近平主席在中南海同普京总统举行小范围会晤。孟夏时节的中南海，清风徐徐，水光潋滟。二人临水而坐，共品香茗，在轻松的氛围中就共同关心的战略性问题进行深入交流。“中方愿同俄罗斯以及其他国家一道，加强团结合作，引领全球治理正确方向，共同维护国际公平正义，促进世界和平和共同发展。”习近平主席强调。“俄方愿同中国和其他全球南方国家加强合作，促进国际公平正义，推动建立更加平等和多极化的世界。”普京总统回答。世界越是动荡，中俄就越有必要加强战略协作。从应对气候变化到加强全球人工智能治理，从打击恐怖主义到推动热点问题政治解决……中俄始终做多边主义的维护者和践行者，坚定维护以联合国为核心的国际体系和以国际法为基础的国际秩序，在联合国、亚太经合组织、二十国集团等多边平台密切协调和配合，以真正的多边主义推动平等有序的世界多极化和普惠包容的经济全球化.
Last year, Russia held the rotating presidency of BRICS. With China’s strong support, the first leaders’ meeting after BRICS expansion was successful, continuously yielding positive results for ‘Greater BRICS cooperation’. China, as the rotating chair of the SCO, is successively holding activities as the chair, which also receive strong support from Russia. ‘The two countries accurately grasp and promote the development of political and economic relations, further strengthen cooperation in international fields such as finance and climate, not only helping each other’s development and revitalisation but also injecting stability and positive energy into international relations,’ said Ivan Timofeev, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council. Facing the accelerating changes unseen in a century and the turbulent international situation, China and Russia have always moved forward hand in hand along the correct path of non-alliance, non-confrontation, and not targeting any third party. Standing firmly on the side of international justice, China and Russia will work with peace-loving people from all countries around the world to defend the history written with blood and life, jointly maintain the post-war international order, practice true multilateralism, sing the powerful voice of the Global South’s solidarity and self-improvement, and continuously advance toward the goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind.” 去年，俄罗斯担任金砖国家轮值主席国。在中方大力支持下，金砖扩员后首次领导人会晤取得成功，推动“大金砖合作”不断取得积极成果。中国作为上海合作组织轮值主席国，正在陆续举办主席国活动，也得到俄方大力支持。“两国准确把握和推进政治经济关系发展，进一步加强在金融、气候等国际领域合作，不仅为各自发展振兴助力，更为国际关系注入稳定性和正能量。”俄罗斯国际事务委员会总干事伊万·季莫费耶夫表示。面对加速演进的百年变局和动荡不安的国际形势，中俄两国始终沿着不结盟、不对抗、不针对第三方的正确道路携手前行。坚定站在国际正义一边，中俄将同世界各国热爱和平的人民一道，捍卫用鲜血和生命书写的历史，携手维护战后国际秩序，践行真正的多边主义，唱响全球南方团结自强的时代强音，向着构建人类命运共同体的目标不断迈进.
Also on the front page is a report on Xi and Li Qiang calling for all-out search and rescue efforts after two boats capsized in Guizhou.
“Xi Jinping emphasised that recently, some places have seen successive safety incidents causing mass casualties. All regions and relevant departments must deeply draw lessons, firmly overcome complacency, further tighten the responsibilities of all parties, focus on tourist attractions, large public places, residential communities, and return-trip transportation, strengthen safety measures, firmly implement work requirements, and resolutely curb the trend of frequent major and severe safety accidents.” 习近平强调，近期，有些地方接连发生安全事故造成群死群伤，各地区和有关部门要深刻汲取教训，坚决克服麻痹思想，进一步压实各方责任，聚焦旅游景区、大型公共场所、居民小区、返程交通等，强化安全措施，狠抓工作落实，坚决遏制重特大安全事故多发势头.
Page 3: There’s a report informing that by the end of 2024, the cumulative installed capacity of new-type energy storage projects built and put into operation nationwide reached 73.76 million kilowatts/168 million kilowatt-hours, about 20 times that at the end of the ‘13th Five-Year Plan’ period, and more than 130% increase compared to the end of 2023. 截至2024年底，全国已建成投运新型储能项目累计装机规模达7376万千瓦/1.68亿千瓦时，约为“十三五”末的20倍，较2023年底增长超过130%.
New energy storage features flexible deployment, short construction cycles, and wide application scenarios. Since the 14th Five-Year Plan period began, it has directly driven nearly 200 billion yuan of project investment, promoted the formation of industrial clusters, and become a new green engine for economic development. 新型储能布局灵活、建设周期短、应用场景广泛，“十四五”以来，直接带动项目投资近2000亿元，促进打造产业集群，成为经济发展绿色新引擎.
In addition, the article informs that at present, more than 80 universities in China have established undergraduate programs in energy storage, and seven energy storage industry-education integration platforms have been built by integrating high-quality resources, cultivating a group of leading talents with strong innovation capabilities, international vision, and the ability to lead rapid industrial development. 目前我国已有80余所高校设立储能本科专业，整合优质力量建设了7个储能产教融合平台，培养出一批创新能力强、具备国际视野和引领产业快速发展的领军人才.