National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee Chairman Zhao Leji concluded a four-day official visit to Russia on May 30, 2026. The visit, which took place from May 27 to 30, focused on strengthening legislative cooperation and aligning parliamentary work with the broader strategic goals established by the leadership of both nations.
Legislative Cooperation and Strategic Alignment
During his time in Moscow, Zhao held separate meetings with Russian Federation Council Chairwoman Valentina Matviyenko and State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin. He also presided over the 11th meeting of the China-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee. The discussions underscored the current high level of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination, which both sides noted has entered a more active and rapid development phase following President Vladimir Putin’s recent state visit to China.
Zhao emphasized that the role of national legislative bodies is to provide a robust legal framework for bilateral cooperation. By focusing on areas such as national security, environmental protection, artificial intelligence, and foreign-related rule of law, the two countries aim to exchange legislative experiences that support their shared strategic interests.
Institutional Commitment and Future Outlook
Both Matviyenko and Volodin expressed strong support for the partnership. Matviyenko highlighted the importance of legislative support in facilitating pragmatic cooperation across sectors including trade, investment, energy, and transportation. For his part, Volodin affirmed that the State Duma remains committed to the partnership, noting that the Russian side stands by the one-China principle and intends to work with China to uphold the outcomes of World War II.
Looking ahead, the collaboration between the two legislatures is likely to prioritize the oversight of major projects and the creation of a transparent, stable business environment to protect the rights of enterprises. Analysts may expect that the commitment to share legislative expertise in emerging fields like artificial intelligence could lead to more synchronized regulatory approaches between the two nations in the coming years.
Regional Engagement and Commemoration
Beyond his meetings in Moscow, Zhao visited the permanent exhibition hall of the Sixth National Congress of the Communist Party of China and attended a photo exhibition commemorating the 25th anniversary of the bilateral treaty. His trip also included a visit to the Irkutsk region, where he met with Governor Igor Kobzev and the regional legislative chairman to discuss local-level cooperation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the primary purpose of Zhao Leji’s visit to Russia?
The visit aimed to strengthen legislative cooperation, participate in the 11th meeting of the China-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, and ensure that the strategic consensus reached by the two heads of state is effectively implemented through legal and parliamentary support.
What specific areas of law were identified for future cooperation?
The two sides identified national security, environmental protection, artificial intelligence, and foreign-related rule of law as key areas for ongoing legislative exchange.
How does this visit impact local-level relations?
Zhao’s meeting with the leadership of the Irkutsk region signifies a desire to expand pragmatic cooperation to the local level, aiming to inject more vitality into the bilateral relationship through regional legislative interaction and people-to-people exchanges.
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