So, when Beijing emphasizes "the correct historical view of World War II," it's not mere ceremonial rhetoric. It's reinforcing critical elements of international recognition and legitimacy that underpin China's current global position.
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After comparing it with the previous one issued last May, I have two highlights of the new joint statement:
1. More direct criticism of the US. The statement no longer uses vague terms like "certain countries" but directly refers to "resolutely responding to the U.S. 'dual containment' policy against China and Russia," and clearly opposes "attempts by the United States and its allies to advance NATO's eastward expansion into the Asia-Pacific." This change in expression shows that China and Russia have formed a clearer common understanding of the Trump administration’s uncertainty. It also reflects a more pessimistic judgment about US strategic intentions, that confrontation has become a long-term trend.
2. In the new joint statement, cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has been refined to include specific institution-building, such as "accelerating the establishment of a Comprehensive Center for Responding to Security Threats and Challenges in Tashkent, and a CounterNarcotics Center in Dushanbe." Furthermore, the new statement mentions cooperation between the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and China, which at this stage primarily focuses on preventing "interference by external forces" (which I think mainly refers to extremist and terrorist organizations), indicating that relations between China and this security organization predominantly led by Russia are warming up.
Only one part about Ukraine:
To steadily and permanently resolve the Ukraine crisis, both sides believe it is necessary to eliminate the root causes of the crisis on the basis of full and complete adherence to the principles of the UN Charter, uphold the principle of indivisible security, and take into account the reasonable security interests and concerns of all countries. To this end, both sides support all efforts conducive to peace. The Russian side positively evaluates China's objective and impartial position on the Ukraine issue, and welcomes China's willingness to play a constructive role in resolving the Ukraine crisis through political and diplomatic means. China will continue to work toward a political resolution of the crisis through platforms such as the "Friends of Peace" group.
Below is the full text: https://www.mfa.gov.cn/zyxw/202505/t20250509_11617671.shtml
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Joint Statement of the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation on Further Deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Coordination for the New Era on the Occasion of Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in China's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, the Soviet Great Patriotic War, and the Establishment of the United Nations
At the invitation of Russian Federation President Putin, President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China paid a state visit to the Russian Federation from May 7 to 10, 2025. The two heads of state held formal talks in Moscow, jointly signed and issued this joint statement. On May 9,
The Russian side emphasizes that the crimes of expulsion and killing of Soviet civilians by the Nazis and their accomplices have been confirmed in the judgment of the Nuremberg International Military Tribunal and should be regarded as genocide against the Soviet people.
The two sides note that the Japanese government should learn lessons from the brutal crimes it committed in history, exercise caution in its words and deeds on historical issues such as the Yasukuni Shrine, and completely cut ties with militarism that once brought deep disasters to the peoples of the world and Japan itself.
To jointly defend historical truth and remember that decisive events in the Asian theater had extremely important significance in promoting Japan's surrender and ultimately achieving world peace, the two sides will continue to hold educational and commemorative activities in various forms, further excavate and research evidence and historical materials of the crimes of Nazi Germany and Japanese militarism during World War II, and jointly hold commemorative activities at places where events that changed the course of World War II occurred.
The two sides emphasize that humanity should forever remember the tragedy of World War II and its causes and lessons, and make every effort to prevent similar tragedies from recurring. China and Russia will firmly stand on the side of international justice and, together with peace-loving peoples around the world, resolutely uphold the post-war international order and build a better future for humanity.
II
The two sides agree that the profound battle friendship and mutual assistance forged by the two peoples in the world's anti-fascist war have laid a solid foundation for the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era. Currently, with the joint efforts
of both sides, China-Russia relations have reached the highest level in history and continue to develop stably in all directions, setting an example for building a new type of international relations and becoming a model for cooperation between major countries and the largest neighboring countries in today's world.
Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the two sides adhere to the basic principles established in the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation between China and Russia signed on July 16, 2001, and other bilateral documents and declarations, uphold the spirit of permanent good-neighborliness, comprehensive strategic coordination, and mutually beneficial cooperation, continuously consolidate cooperation in various fields, and properly respond to external challenges.
For a long time, China and Russia have formed extensive common interests, and their overall development goals are complementary, constituting a solid foundation for cooperation in various fields. ChinaRussia relations have unique strategic value and strong internal driving force, neither targeting any third party nor subject to the influence of any third party. Facing the intertwined international situation of change and turbulence, the two sides will maintain strategic determination, always regard each other as priority cooperation partners, jointly resist any attempts to interfere with and disrupt the traditional friendship and deep mutual trust between China and Russia, contribute to each other's development and revitalization, and inject stability and positive energy into the world.
The two sides firmly support each other in safeguarding national sovereignty, territorial integrity, security, and stability, firmly oppose any attempts by external forces to hinder the normal development of bilateral relations and interfere in the internal affairs of the two countries, defend the right to independently choose development paths, and support each other in protecting cultural and historical identity and traditional moral values.
transportation of energy.
— Enhance the level of financial cooperation, expand inter-bank exchanges, strengthen local currency settlement, and deepen cooperation in insurance, credit rating agencies, and the securities sector.
— Improve the construction of China-Russia border port infrastructure, enhance passenger and cargo transportation efficiency, port inspection efficiency, and customs clearance capacity, tap the potential of transit transportation between the two countries, ensure the barrier-free operation of China-Russia cross-border transportation corridors, and strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation on the Arctic route.
— Strengthen industrial cooperation, expand cooperation in technological innovation, and consolidate industrial chains.
— Tap the potential of scientific and technological cooperation, expand new directions of cooperation in innovation, basic research, and applied research, regularly select joint scientific and technological projects, implement scientific research projects, and support new models of scientific and technological cooperation.
— Comprehensively deepen practical cooperation in various fields such as economy and trade, customs, agriculture, transportation, finance, industry, environmental protection, aerospace and satellite navigation, nuclear energy, urban construction, health, information and communication technology, and ensure that bilateral cooperation achieves quality upgrade before 2030.
The two sides support cultural and civilizational diversity, believing that
uniqueness is the foundation of a multipolar world, and respect the unique value systems of all countries and peoples.
The two sides are committed to fair, just, open, and inclusive international humanitarian cooperation, firmly oppose the politicization of humanitarian cooperation, oppose the adoption of discriminatory and exclusive means, and oppose undermining the foundation of other countries' cultural sovereignty by exporting harmful ideas and erroneous views.
To prevent the merits of the two peoples in fighting against Japanese militarism and Nazi Germany from being forgotten, China and Russia will continue to resist any attempts to mislead the youth. To protect traditional moral values, correct historical views, and cultural identity, continuously pass on moral codes, and carry forward the friendly traditions of the two peoples and enhance mutual understanding, the two sides agree to:
— Strengthen educational cooperation, improve the legal basis for cooperation, further expand cooperation in general vocational education, secondary vocational education, vocational education training, and between universities of the two countries, strengthen relevant cooperation within multilateral platforms such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, expand the scale of mutual exchange of students, and promote Chinese language teaching in Russia and Russian language teaching in China. Continue to support top universities in the two countries to formulate and implement joint teaching plans and scientific research. Support the development of alliances of similar universities between China and Russia, jointly conduct academic exchanges, and hold scientific and educational activities such as scientific research conferences.
— Support Chinese and Russian media organizations in providing objective and fair coverage of the two countries' friendly relations, economic and social development, etc., deepen policy dialogue, joint production, exchange of audiovisual content, application of new technologies, talent
the United Nations in maintaining global peace and security, to pursue their own hegemonic private interests.
The two sides reaffirm their commitment to upholding international law, particularly the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and resisting any attempt to distort the basic principles of international law. The purposes and principles of the UN Charter are an integral and fundamental part of international law and should be fully, adequately, and completely observed.
The two sides note that building a more equitable and sustainable multipolar world order is the trend of the times. Certain countries, addicted to hegemonism and neo-colonialism, implement aggressive policies and limit the sovereignty of other countries and suppress their economic and technological development to protect their own privileges, which does not align with the trend of world multipolarity and democratization of international relations.
As independent forces in the process of establishing a multipolar world, the two sides will fully tap the potential of bilateral relations, uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, promote the realization of equal and orderly world multipolarity and democratization of international relations, and gather strength to build a more just and reasonable multipolar world.
As major victors in World War II, founding members of the United Nations, and permanent members of the Security Council, China and Russia emphasize the important significance of commemorating the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations in 2025, which was one of the main victorious outcomes of World War II.
The two sides reaffirm their commitment to maintaining the central role of
the United Nations in coordinating the interests of various countries and uniting to respond to contemporary challenges.
The two sides are willing to engage in closer coordination within the framework of UN institutions such as the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly to promote lasting and just solutions to global issues based on compliance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and balancing the interests of all parties.
The two sides attach great importance to strengthening the work of the "Group of Friends in Defense of the UN Charter," considering it an effective mechanism for upholding the principles and norms of international law, promoting the construction of a just and democratic multipolar order, and opposing unilateral sanctions and neo-colonialist practices such as the politicization of human rights issues.
The two sides support conducting extensive and equal dialogue on the basis of protecting civilizational diversity and balancing the power and interests of various countries, exploring ways to promote the international pattern to better adapt to the process of world multipolarity in the 21st century.
The Russian side highly appreciates the Global Civilization Initiative and is willing to work with the Chinese side to hold relevant commemorative activities in conjunction with the "International Day of Dialogue of Civilizations" resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly, jointly promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, and enhance people-to-people connectivity.
The two sides emphasize that the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind and a series of global initiatives proposed by the Chinese side are of important positive significance. The peoples of all countries share a common destiny, and no country should pursue its own security at the expense of others. The two sides call on all countries to
name of international aid, and oppose the politicization and instrumentalization of international aid issues. The two sides call on the international community to strengthen cooperation in the field of international humanitarian assistance and jointly promote the construction of a more just, reasonable, and effective international humanitarian assistance system to contribute to alleviating humanitarian crises globally.
The two sides agree that plastic pollution is caused by the improper leakage of plastic waste into the environment and are determined to increase efforts to control plastic waste pollution on the basis of respecting the national conditions and sovereignty of various countries, and work with all parties to develop a legally binding instrument to address environmental pollution (including marine pollution) caused by plastic waste.
VI
The two sides are willing to continue to strengthen close coordination within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, regarding this as a promising direction for the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era.
The two sides will work with other member states to continue to commit to enhancing the international influence of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and promote the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to make practical contributions to building a more just multipolar international pattern with the United Nations at its core and strict adherence to the principles of international law. The two sides will actively deepen coordination within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, laying the foundation for the formation of an equal and indivisible security architecture in the Eurasian continent, and building a common home of peace, stability, mutual trust, development, and prosperity.
Given the above, the two sides consider it a priority to continuously implement the decision made by the Council of Heads of State of the SCO member states on July 4, 2024, regarding the improvement of the Organization's operating mechanisms with the times. The two sides are willing to work with other member states to take measures to accelerate the establishment of a comprehensive center for addressing security threats and challenges in Tashkent and a counter-narcotics center in Dushanbe.
The two sides attach great importance to the expansion of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and support the continuous admission of countries that recognize the purposes, tasks, and basic principles of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Charter, including recognizing the "Shanghai Spirit" of "mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations, and pursuit of common development." The two sides support strengthening cooperation between the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and observer states, dialogue partners, and relevant countries and international organizations in various fields through forms such as "SCO+."
The Russian side supports the Chinese side's work as the rotating chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the Chinese side supports the Russian side's role as the host country for the meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of the SCO member states, mutually supporting each other in successfully holding the 2025 summit and prime ministers' meeting. The two sides believe that these leaders' meetings will further effectively release the enormous potential of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in the political, security, economic, and humanitarian fields, focus on the programmatic conceptual documents adopted by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, promote the quality and upgrading of economic and trade cooperation, and continuously improve the well-being of the people in the SCO region.
The two sides are willing to promote strategic cooperation in the three areas of political security, economic and financial trade, and cultural
adverse negative impacts on global industrial and supply chains.
The two sides are willing to actively promote an open, inclusive, transparent, and non-discriminatory multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core, support the advancement of World Trade Organization rules with the times, and promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. The two sides are willing to strengthen the cooperation dialogue mechanism within the framework of the World Trade Organization, reaffirm the importance of development issues, advance World Trade Organization reform, including the full normal restoration of the dispute settlement mechanism, promote the inclusion of the "Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement" into the World Trade Organization legal framework, prepare for practical outcomes at the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference, and jointly safeguard the interests of developing countries.
The two sides reaffirm their willingness to continue to strengthen constructive cooperation in international mechanisms such as the G20, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, enhance the voice of developing countries in the global governance system, unite Global South countries, advocate for an equal and orderly world multipolarity, and an inclusive and beneficial economic globalization. The two sides attach great importance to the reform of international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
The two sides highly appreciate the constructive cooperation between China and Russia in the G20, reaffirm their willingness to continue to promote the enhancement of the G20's role as the main forum for international economic cooperation, jointly promote inclusive and beneficial economic globalization, address global financial and economic challenges based on the basic principle of consensus, and promote the development of the international order in a more just, balanced, and reasonable direction in the three dimensions of economy, society, and
ecology. The two sides will strongly support South Africa's work as the G20 rotating presidency in 2025.
The Russian side supports China's hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in 2026. The two sides will continue to engage in close and mutually beneficial cooperation within the APEC framework, promote the comprehensive and balanced implementation of the Putrajaya Vision, jointly build an Asia-Pacific community, promote the construction of an open world economy, jointly advance the process of regional economic integration in the Asia-Pacific, support the construction of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, and create a free, open, inclusive, nondiscriminatory, and predictable trade and investment environment; strengthen communication and coordination, and jointly promote practical cooperation in various fields such as connectivity and digital economy, and address pressing economic and social challenges.
Given the importance of deepening economic integration and system cooperation in the Eurasian region, the two sides will continue to promote the implementation of the "Agreement between the People's Republic of China and the Eurasian Economic Union on Economic and Trade Cooperation" signed on May 17, 2018, carry out agreement upgrade work in due course, enhance trade facilitation between China and the Eurasian Economic Union, and jointly commit to the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative with the construction of the Eurasian Economic Union, promote the parallel and coordinated development of the Belt and Road Initiative and the construction of the "Greater Eurasian Partnership," and strengthen dialogue between regional organizations such as the Eurasian Economic Union, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and ASEAN.
VIII
The two sides reaffirm their commitment to maintaining and strengthening global strategic stability, working together to address challenges and
threats in relevant fields, and advocate for comprehensive consideration of all important factors affecting global strategic stability.
The two sides note that certain nuclear weapon states have taken a series of negative measures, undermining global strategic stability, exacerbating the arms race, raising conflict risks, and posing a serious threat to international peace and security, urging relevant countries to abandon the Cold War mentality and zero-sum game, resolve concerns through equal dialogue and mutually respectful consultations, enhance mutual trust, avoid dangerous misjudgments, and abandon measures with strategic risks.
The two sides note that one of the strategic risks that urgently needs to be eliminated is the implementation of military alliance expansion by certain nuclear weapon states in sensitive areas around other nuclear weapon states, the use of military pressure, or the implementation of hostile actions that threaten the fundamental security interests of other countries. The two sides condemn certain nuclear weapon states for developing unlimited global multi-level anti-missile systems, deploying land-based intermediate and short-range missiles abroad targeting other nuclear weapon states, advancing the so-called "extended deterrence" and "nuclear sharing" arrangements that are highly destructive, harming regional stability and global security. The two sides oppose all kinds of provocative actions that raise tensions and strategic risks against nuclear weapon states.
The two sides reaffirm their adherence to the "Joint Statement of the Leaders of the Five Nuclear Weapon States on Preventing Nuclear War and Avoiding Arms Races" issued on January 3, 2022, and call on the participating countries of the statement to take practical actions to fulfill their corresponding commitments.
The two sides reaffirm their opposition to individual countries defining and using outer space as a "combat domain," advocate for all countries to make political commitments not to be the first to deploy weapons in outer space,
and advocate for the early launch of multilateral negotiations on the basis of the China-Russia draft "Treaty on the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space and the Threat or Use of Force against Outer Space Objects" to formulate an instrument with international legal binding force to prevent an arms race in outer space.
The two sides reaffirm that arms control is an important means to enhance international security and stability, and destructive measures will hinder efforts in the field of arms control. The two sides are committed to practicing true multilateralism and support the central role of the United Nations and its relevant multilateral mechanisms in the arms control process.
The two sides will continue to be committed to maintaining the authority of international legal instruments such as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the Biological Weapons Convention, and the Chemical Weapons Convention, and promote the implementation of the UN General Assembly resolution "Promoting International Cooperation for Peaceful Uses in the Context of International Security."
The two sides reaffirm the common positions on ensuring international information security established in the intergovernmental agreement of May 8, 2015. They oppose attempts by individual countries to use advantages in information and communication technology to capture their own geopolitical interests and create threats to international security, noting that information and communication technology should be used for peaceful purposes. The two sides are committed to strengthening practical bilateral and multilateral cooperation on international information security issues based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
The two sides welcome the adoption of the United Nations Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes (hereinafter referred to as the "Convention") by the UN
General Assembly. This is the first universal international convention in the field of information security. China and Russia plan to be among the first countries to sign the Convention and call on the entire international community to follow the example of the two countries, support the early entry into force of the Convention and the launch of relevant member state cooperation mechanisms to effectively combat information and communication technology crimes. The two sides will actively participate in the negotiation of additional protocols to the Convention on issues such as criminalization, and continuously promote the improvement of international cooperation mechanisms for combating cybercrime.
To create an international information security system and an open, secure, stable, accessible, and peaceful information and communication technology environment, the two sides support the discussion and formulation of new international legal instruments with universal participation in the United Nations based on existing codes of conduct for states. They welcome the launch of a future permanent mechanism for international information security within the UN framework, detailed discussion of the functions and scope of future legal instruments with international legal effect in the field of information security, including new issues such as data security and supply chain stability.
The two sides, subject to compliance with relevant laws, are jointly committed to ensuring the functional integrity, stability, and security of each country's internet system, and firmly oppose the use of low-orbit network communication satellite systems to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.
The two sides reaffirm that they will further strengthen cooperation and coordinate positions on platforms such as the United Nations, BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to jointly combat major global security threats such as terrorism, separatism, extremism, transnational organized crime, illegal drug trafficking, and crimes using new technologies.
The two sides welcome Russia's assumption of the rotating chairmanship of the "Greater Tumen Initiative" in 2025, support strengthening cooperation in Northeast Asia, deepen cooperation among "Greater Tumen Initiative" member countries in transportation, energy, trade and investment, digital economy, agriculture, tourism, environment, and other fields, and explore the transition of the "Greater Tumen Initiative" to an independent international organization.
The two sides advocate that political and diplomatic means are the only way to promote a comprehensive resolution of the Korean Peninsula issue, urge relevant countries to abandon policies of implementing unilateral mandatory measures and suppression against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, as well as policies aimed at promoting militarization in Northeast Asia and provoking confrontation, take effective measures to promote the easing of tensions, and eliminate the threat of armed incidents and large-scale military conflicts on the peninsula. The two sides believe that mutual respect for sovereignty and balanced consideration of the interests of all concerned countries are necessary conditions for resolving the peninsula issue. The two sides reaffirm their willingness to play a constructive role in promoting the political settlement process of the peninsula issue and achieving lasting peace and stability in the Northeast Asia region.
The two sides are willing to strengthen cooperation on Afghan affairs at the bilateral level and under multilateral mechanisms, promoting Afghanistan to become an independent, neutral, unified, and peaceful country, free from the harms of terrorism and drugs, and living in harmony with all neighboring countries. The two sides attach great importance to and support the positive and constructive role played by regional platforms such as the Foreign Ministers' Meeting of Afghanistan's Neighboring Countries, the "Moscow Format" consultations on Afghanistan, the ChinaRussia-Pakistan-Iran four-country mechanism, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in the political settlement of the Afghan issue.
solution that takes into account the reasonable concerns of all parties through dialogue and negotiation. They oppose any party resorting to the use of force to resolve issues, illegal unilateral mandatory measures, and effectively prevent escalation of the situation.
The two sides are committed to continuing to deepen constructive cooperation in various fields with African countries and major regional integration organizations such as the African Union, and are willing to support African countries in achieving the ambitious goals set out in the African Union's "Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want," adhering to the principle of "African solutions to African problems." The two sides agree that the achievement of peace, stability, and true independence and autonomy by African countries is the foundation for the development, prosperity, and modernization of the African continent. The two sides welcome cooperation between BRICS countries and African countries in various fields, will continue to strengthen communication and cooperation on African affairs, and support South Africa as the rotating chair of the G20 in leading global governance towards a more just and reasonable direction.
The two sides welcome the willingness of Latin American and Caribbean countries to engage in mutually beneficial cooperation on the basis of equality, mutual respect, and consideration of each other's interests, and are willing to strengthen cooperation with relevant countries and mechanisms in the region, including regional organizations such as the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, MERCOSUR, the Andean Community, the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America, the Pacific Alliance, and the Caribbean Community, as well as strengthen cooperation with them in international multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations, the G20, and BRICS, to jointly promote stability and prosperity in the region.
The two sides advocate maintaining peace and stability in the Arctic region and preventing military-political tensions in the region.
President of the People's Republic of China President of the Russian Federation
Xi Jinping Vladimir V. Putin
May 8, 2025, Moscow