Russian Ambassador to China Igor Morgulov stated in a written interview with Xinhua News Agency on the occasion of Russia's "Diplomat Day" on the 10th that in the nearly 30 years since the establishment of the Russia China strategic partnership, the two sides have formed a multi-level and complete cooperation pattern covering almost all possible fields, setting an example of good neighborly and friendly cooperation between major powers in the 21st century. Morgulov stated that head of state diplomacy is a key driving force for the development of Russia China relations. Not long ago, the two heads of state held a video meeting on the eve of the Chinese Spring Festival, pointing out the direction for bilateral cooperation between the two countries this year. The current Russia China relationship is mature and stable, with high political mutual trust, maintaining regular dialogue at all levels, and coordinating positions on important international and regional issues. When it comes to the practical cooperation achievements between the two sides, Morgulov said that the economic and trade cooperation between Russia and China is developing rapidly, and the bilateral trade volume will once again exceed the $200 billion mark by 2025. China will firmly occupy the position of Russia's largest trading partner, while Russia will be China's fifth largest trading partner; The energy cooperation between the two countries is steadily advancing, with the Russia Central East Gas Pipeline achieving full load gas transmission and a number of joint energy projects continuing to be implemented; The cooperation between the two countries is increasingly deepening in areas such as investment, high technology, agriculture and food, and transportation. The friendship between nations lies in the matchmaking between the people. In recent years, themed annual events such as the "China Russia Science and Technology Innovation Year," "China Russia Sports Exchange Year," and "China Russia Culture Year" have been held successively. Morgulov introduced that under the framework of the "Russia China Cultural Year" that will end in 2025, the two countries have held more than 400 activities such as cultural group tours and museum exhibitions and exchanges. The theme exchange year focusing on cultural cooperation will help solidify the public opinion foundation of bilateral relations. He said that both sides will also hold the "Russia China Education Year" from 2026 to 2027, and the Russian side is willing to fully utilize the form of the exchange year to carry out people to people diplomacy and help the two peoples enhance understanding and friendship. Regarding the implementation of the mutual visa exemption policy between the two countries in 2025, Morgulov said that the policy has strongly stimulated the interest of the two peoples in traveling to each other's countries. Data shows that the number of Russian citizens traveling to China has increased by nearly 40%, with most of them entering without a visa. It is expected that the demand for Russian tourism products from Chinese tourists will also increase. The continuous expansion of cooperation indicates that two major countries with different cultural traditions, social systems, and development paths have established a model of good neighborly and friendly cooperation between major powers in the 21st century through political wisdom. ”He said it is important that the close relationship between Russia and China does not target any third party. On multilateral platforms, in 2025, China and Russia successfully hosted the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Tianjin Summit and the Moscow Prime Ministers' Meeting. Morgulov said that in the 25 years since the establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Russia and China have gone through various stages of development side by side, witnessing its becoming an organization that covers most of the Eurasian continent and has important appeal to regional countries. The Russian side highly appreciates China's work as the rotating chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The important documents approved at the Tianjin Summit, such as the "SCO Development Strategy for the Next 10 Years (2026-2035)", fully embody the slogan of "promoting the 'Shanghai Spirit': SCO in Action". The Russian side agrees with the global governance initiative proposed by China during the Tianjin Summit. He said that Russia and China are still closely cooperating on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations and BRICS countries. As permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and responsible world powers, Russia and China are committed to maintaining stability on the Eurasian continent and globally, striving to defend the international system with the United Nations at its core, advocating for the construction of a multipolar world and enhancing the status of the global South. 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the China Russia strategic partnership and the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation between China and Russia. This will be an important milestone in reflecting the evolution of bilateral cooperation and determining its development direction, "Morgulov said. He said that the Treaty of Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation between Russia and China has established important concepts in law, such as intergenerational friendship, respect for each other's chosen development path, support for maintaining territorial integrity, and consideration of each other's interests. It is these principles that have been tested over time that ensure the extraordinary stability of Russia China relations and prevent the two countries from being affected by the international situation. The treaty has created a unique space for consolidating mutual trust between the two countries, "Morgulov said. This year marks the beginning of China's 15th Five Year Plan. Morgulov expressed that Russia is sincerely pleased with China's achievements in building a modern technology intensive economy and ensuring a high standard of living for its people. The '15th Five Year Plan' suggests maintaining continuity with China's current socio-economic policies, which will provide unlimited opportunities for further deepening practical cooperation between Russia and China, "he said. Russia and China have strong economic complementarity. The Russian side is willing to continuously strengthen cooperation with the Chinese side in various fields, implement cooperation projects, effectively utilize each other's economic and technological development potential, and enhance the well-being of the people of both countries. ”Morgulov said. (New Society)