Key points
- Xi hails “long-standing and strong friendship” with Moscow
- Also holds meeting with SCO foreign ministers
ISLAMABAD: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with China’s leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday, Moscow said, as the top Russian diplomat visited for a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting.
Xi received Lavrov in the Chinese capital “as part of his participation in the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the SCO”, Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
🇷🇺🇨🇳 Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was received by President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping
📍 Beijing, July 15#RussiaChina pic.twitter.com/NXeG0KdBpF
— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) July 15, 2025
“A number of issues of bilateral political contacts at the highest and high levels were discussed,” including preparations for Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s visit to China to join a SCO summit and World War II anniversary celebrations.
Russia’s TASS news agency reported that Xi met Lavrov after the Chinese president held a “general meeting” with SCO foreign ministers.
📸 Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov takes part in the group meeting of Foreign Ministers of the #SCO Member States with President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping
📍 Beijing, July 15 pic.twitter.com/EDyKEaAD9K
— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) July 15, 2025
They discussed preparations for Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s upcoming visit to China, where he will attend the SCO summit and celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory over militaristic Japan, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“Lavrov conveyed to the Chinese leader friendly greetings and best wishes from Russian President Vladimir Putin. A number of issues related to bilateral political communication at the highest level were discussed, including preparations for the visit of the Russian head of state to China to participate in the SCO summit and the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory over militaristic Japan,” the ministry noted.
“Xi welcomed the upcoming visit to China of the Russian leader, with whom he shares a long-standing and strong friendship,” the statement added.
Comprehensive partnership
Xi also praised Russian-Chinese relations and reaffirmed his commitment to further strengthening the comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation with Moscow. “Xi Jinping gave a high assessment of bilateral relations and reaffirmed the focus on further building up the comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction with Russia,” the ministry said.
