Russian Parliament Speaker to Visit China, Strengthening Bilateral Ties

Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of Russia’s State Duma, is heading to China this week with a team of lawmakers, according to Russia’s Vedomosti newspaper, which spoke to sources close to the matter.

The visit, with stops planned in Beijing and Changchun, shows just how tight Russia and China have become as they face a shifting global scene.

Volodin’s trip paves the way for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to China, likely happening in late August or early September, to mark 80 years since the end of World War II. This anniversary celebrates the defeat of Nazi Germany and Japan’s surrender in 1945—a big deal for both nations.

For China, it’s a time to reflect on the immense losses suffered during Japan’s occupation, including the heartbreaking Nanjing Massacre, where an estimated 100,000 to 300,000 people were killed.

• Russian Parliament Speaker Volodin to Visit China Ahead of Putin Trip
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• Volodin’s China Visit Signals Stronger Moscow–Beijing Partnership

Russia and China have grown closer in recent years, describing their friendship as “no limits” since early 2022. For Russia, this partnership has been a lifeline as it deals with Western sanctions over the Ukraine conflict. China, a major buyer of Russian oil, has kept trade and diplomatic ties strong. Both countries’ leaders, Xi Jinping and Putin, have called out U.S. policies and pushed for a world where power isn’t concentrated in just a few hands.

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Volodin’s visit will likely focus on boosting ties between the two countries’ parliaments, following in the footsteps of earlier trips, like the 2023 visit by Russian Senate leader Valentina Matviyenko. They’ll probably talk about trade, diplomacy, and maybe even military cooperation. With global tensions running high, Russia and China are doubling down on their alliance to stand strong together.