Ding Xuexiang Addresses Eastern Economic Forum
Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang delivered a keynote address at the plenary session of the 11th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostok on September 3, presenting a four-point proposal to deepen regional cooperation between China and Russia. Speaking under the forum’s theme, “The Far East: Development for the Benefit of People,” Ding emphasized the importance of the platform for multilateral economic dialogue across the Asia-Pacific region, according to Xinhua News.
A Milestone Year for Bilateral Relations
Ding’s participation in the forum comes at a significant juncture for China-Russia relations. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination and the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, as noted by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
The vice premier’s visit to Vladivostok from September 2-4 follows closely on the heels of President Xi Jinping’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Bishkek on August 31, underscoring the sustained rhythm of high-level engagement between the two nations.
During his address, Ding highlighted the tangible results of regional cooperation under the “Northeast-Far East” framework. He noted that China has firmly maintained its position as Russia’s largest trading partner in the Far East region and actively supports Russia’s “one zone, one port” development initiative, with nearly 100 Chinese resident enterprises participating, as reported by Xinhua.
Four Proposals for Regional Cooperation
Ding put forward four concrete proposals to advance bilateral cooperation:
First, promoting inclusive development by strengthening the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative with the Eurasian Economic Union and deepening the strategic integration of Northeast China’s revitalization with Russia’s Far East development strategy.
Second, creating a favorable business environment by implementing the new version of the China-Russia Investment Cooperation Planning Outline and the upgraded bilateral agreement on investment promotion and mutual protection.
Third, strengthening people-to-people exchanges across cultural, tourism, educational, and youth sectors, including activities under the “China-Russia Education Year.”
Fourth, maintaining regional peace and stability by jointly upholding the purposes of the UN Charter and international fairness and justice, while resisting challenges to the outcomes of World War II and the post-war international order.
“The Eastern Economic Forum is an important platform for countries to discuss cooperation and seek common development,” Ding said during his address, as quoted by China News Service.
Meeting with Putin
The evening before the plenary session, Ding met with President Putin in Vladivostok. During the meeting, Ding conveyed President Xi Jinping’s warm greetings and emphasized that the resilience of China-Russia relations amid a complex and changing international landscape stems from the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, according to the Chinese Consulate in Irkutsk.
Putin welcomed Ding’s participation and noted that Russia-China relations have reached an unprecedented level through the joint efforts of both countries. “Russia is willing to strengthen strategic coordination and cooperation with China to bring bilateral relations to an even higher level,” Putin said.
Investment Cooperation Committee Meeting
On September 3, Ding also co-chaired the 13th meeting of the China-Russia Investment Cooperation Committee with Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov. The meeting reviewed progress on bilateral investment projects and explored expanding cooperation into green industries and the digital economy, with both sides signing the meeting minutes afterward.
Economic Resilience and Trade Growth
Addressing the broader economic context, Ding emphasized the stability of China’s economy despite external challenges. “Facing the complex and severe external environment, China’s economy has been generally stable this year, showing a development trend of new momentum and optimized structure, demonstrating strong resilience and vigorous vitality,” he said, as reported by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
China has been Russia’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years, with bilateral trade reaching $227.9 billion in 2025. In the first half of 2026, bilateral trade grew 22 percent to exceed $135 billion, according to the Global Times.
Expert Analysis
Wang Xiaoquan, an expert at the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times that marking the 30th anniversary of the strategic partnership, the two countries have steadily deepened their ties, building a high level of mutual trust and setting an example of a new type of major-country relationship.
Evgeny Bazhov, chief representative of Russian Export Center JSC in China, emphasized the potential for deeper value-added cooperation. “With bilateral trade already at a significant level, the next question is how much added value is created together,” Bazhov told the Global Times. “For the Far East, this means deeper processing of Russian resources and agricultural products, broader joint production and industrial cooperation to closer integration into Chinese supply chains.”
Putin’s Far East Vision
In his own address at the plenary session, Putin outlined ambitious plans for Russia’s Far East, noting that regional GDP has more than tripled over the past 11 years and unemployment has dropped to a record low of 2.2 percent. He announced a new unified preferential regime for the Far East and Arctic starting January 1, 2027, and detailed plans for a Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor, according to the Kremlin.
Putin also highlighted a joint Russia-China project on autonomous unmanned systems launched on the sidelines of the forum, signaling expanding technological cooperation between the two countries.
Looking Ahead
Ding’s high-level participation in the EEF, coming just days after the Xi-Putin meeting in Bishkek, reinforces the message of continuity and depth in China-Russia engagement. As the two countries navigate a period of significant geopolitical realignment, the “Northeast-Far East” cooperation framework is becoming increasingly institutionalized through investment committees, energy dialogues, and business forums.
Following the plenary session, Ding was scheduled to participate in the 23rd meeting of the China-Russia Energy Cooperation Committee and the 8th China-Russia Energy Business Forum, further cementing the economic pillars of the bilateral relationship. The forum’s gathering of more than 5,000 representatives from across the Asia-Pacific region underscores the growing importance of Russia’s Far East as a hub for regional economic integration.