Key facts
- Russia aims to expand shipbuilding cooperation with China through technology partnerships and joint investment.
- Nikolai Patrushev, a close aide to President Putin, met with Chinese Vice-Minister of Industry and Information Technology Ke Jixin.
- The two sides discussed Chinese shipbuilders becoming technology partners and equipment suppliers for new Russian projects.
- Patrushev's visit was seen as preparation for President Putin's attendance at the APEC summit in Shenzhen.
- A potential trilateral summit between the US, China, and Russia during the APEC summit was a topic of discussion.
- Over 40 cooperation agreements were signed during President Putin's state visit to China in May.
Russia is seeking to deepen its strategic and economic ties with China, with a recent visit by presidential aide Nikolai Patrushev focusing on expanding cooperation in shipbuilding.
Patrushev held talks in Beijing with Ke Jixin, China's vice-minister of industry and information technology, discussing the potential for Chinese shipbuilders to act as technology partners and equipment suppliers for new Russian projects. The visit, which took place from October 8 to 13, was also seen as a preparatory step for President Vladimir Putin's attendance at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen.
Discussions during Patrushev's visit also touched upon broader geopolitical coordination between the two nations, with the possibility of a trilateral summit involving the United States, China, and Russia being raised. This potential meeting is contingent on the attendance of US President Donald Trump at the APEC summit.
Earlier, President Putin concluded a state visit to China on May 20, which resulted in over 40 cooperation agreements across various sectors, including trade, investment, energy, technology, and connectivity. The two countries also extended their comprehensive strategic partnership through 2030 and beyond, reinforcing their long-term relationship. China also extended its visa-free regime with Russia until the end of 2027.