Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Beijing on Wednesday, urging closer strategic coordination between the two countries to defend their legitimate interests and uphold Global South unity. Xi highlighted the stability and certainty of China-Russia relations amid a changing and turbulent international situation.
Xi Jinping told Lavrov that China and Russia, as major countries and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, should shoulder their responsibilities.
He noted that the stability and certainty of China-Russia relations are particularly valuable in a changing and turbulent international situation.
Xi called for closer and stronger strategic coordination to firmly defend their legitimate interests and safeguard the unity of Global South countries.
The meeting took place in Beijing on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, following reports of Lavrov's planned visit to China on April 13.