China and Russia have pledged to further deepen their strategic partnership, issuing a strongly worded joint statement during President Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow for Victory Day, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
In the statement, Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin accused unnamed countries—clearly referencing the United States—of attempting to “tamper with the results of the victory of the second world war.” The message underscores both countries’ growing alignment against what they perceive as U.S.-led global dominance.
Xi’s visit, his 11th to Russia since assuming office in 2013, included nearly four hours of talks with Putin. The two leaders referred to one another as “close friends,” and Putin announced plans to visit China later this year for events marking Japan’s defeat in WWII.
The joint statement went further than previous declarations in directly criticizing U.S. actions, claiming the United States and its allies are pushing NATO expansion into the Asia-Pacific, forming exclusive alliances, and promoting an “Indo-Pacific strategy” that threatens regional peace and stability.
Both countries also condemned unilateral sanctions imposed without UN approval, calling them violations of international law that harm global security. These remarks reflect shared grievances: China is embroiled in a worsening trade war with the U.S., while Russia remains under heavy international pressure over its ongoing war in Ukraine.
The summit reinforced their shared vision of resisting U.S. “hegemony.” Xi also emphasized historical claims, asserting earlier this week that WWII marked the “liberation” of Taiwan—a disputed territory China considers its own, despite never having governed it. The Xi-Putin statement affirmed Russia’s support for China’s efforts to ensure its “national reunification.”
Though not formal military allies, China and Russia have significantly stepped up security cooperation. In 2024 alone, they held 14 joint military exercises, according to the ChinaPower Project.
A Chinese honor guard is also set to participate in Moscow’s Victory Day military parade—the first such appearance since 2015—symbolizing the countries’ increasingly visible solidarity on the world stage.