According to China Daily, February 12, 2026
Trade between China and Russia has topped $200 billion for the third consecutive year, highlighting the growing depth and resilience of their economic relationship, officials and experts said.
According to the General Administration of Customs, bilateral trade reached $228.1 billion in 2025. Despite a slight decline from the previous year, the total remained well above the $200 billion target set by both nations, with Russia maintaining its position as China’s fifth-largest trading partner.
Officials noted that the partnership is evolving beyond traditional commodity exchanges, moving toward broader sector integration. Energy cooperation remains foundational, but Russian agricultural exports—including soybeans, peas, seafood, and beef—are gaining popularity in China. Meanwhile, Chinese mechanical and electrical products, particularly electric vehicles and consumer electronics, have secured a strong presence in Russia.
Infrastructure development has also strengthened ties. The China-Russia east-route natural gas pipeline is operating at full capacity, and the inaugural China-Europe Arctic container shipping route has successfully launched, significantly reducing transit times.
Bilateral tourism is experiencing historic growth, fueled by new visa policies. In September, China introduced a one-year pilot program allowing visa-free entry for individual Russian tourists, while Russia implemented a reciprocal visa-free policy for Chinese visitors starting Dec. 1, 2025. Industry groups predict that China will become the third-largest outbound destination for Russian tourists this year, with visits expected to rise 30 percent year-on-year. By 2030, mutual travel is projected to double pre-pandemic levels.
Experts also pointed to financial integration as a key driver of bilateral trade. The use of local currency settlements has reduced reliance on the US dollar and euro, easing transactions and deepening economic collaboration. Analysts noted, however, that strengthening legal protections for investors remains important to sustain long-term growth.
Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui said that the trade structure is diversifying rapidly, with emerging sectors such as biotechnology and aerospace seeing particularly fast growth. Over 3,300 new Chinese enterprises registered in Russia between January and October 2025, reflecting the expanding presence of Chinese businesses in the Russian market.
Officials emphasized that the combination of trade, infrastructure, tourism, and financial cooperation illustrates a mature and multifaceted China-Russia partnership, poised to withstand global market fluctuations and support long-term economic development.