4th September 2026 – (Vladivostok) Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang urged stronger regional cooperation between China and Russia at the 11th Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, calling for closer alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative with the development of the Eurasian Economic Union and for China’s Northeast revitalisation strategy to dovetail with Russia’s Far East development plans. He said sustained guidance from both countries’ leaders has delivered tangible outcomes, particularly in cooperation between China’s Northeast and Russia’s Far East.
Ding, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, noted that China remains the largest trading partner of Russia’s Far East and that major joint projects are advancing more rapidly. He added that a mutual visa‑free policy has lifted both cross‑border passenger movements and cargo flows, and he urged authorities to respond quickly to business concerns, maintain policy continuity and stability, and create favourable conditions for enterprise growth.
He encouraged the two sides to intensify exchanges across culture, tourism, education and youth programmes, and to ensure the success of events under the China‑Russia Years of Education, which run in 2026 and 2027. Ding also stressed the importance of safeguarding regional peace and stability, upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international fairness and justice, and deterring attempts to challenge the outcomes of the Second World War and the post‑war international order.
Ding said China has the confidence, capacity and conditions to sustain steady, healthy economic development. He reiterated that the country remains committed to high‑standard opening‑up and welcomes foreign businesses to continue investing and deepening their presence in the Chinese market.