Posters: China and Russia issue joint statement supporting open trade and multilateralism

China and Russia on May 20, 2026 issued a joint statement titled “Joint Statement Between the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation on Supporting Open Trade and Multilateralism.” Here are some highlights:

-- The Parties reaffirm their dedication to preserving the multilateralism, emphasize the importance to uphold open and fair trade between them, and jointly resist unilateral coercive measures and trade protectionism.

-- The Parties oppose the expansion of  trade-restrictive measures, whether in the form of tariffs and non-tariff measures taken  under the guise of national security, environmental protection or combating climate change.

-- The Parties reckon that economic and trade consultations with a third Party will not be  directed against the other Party, nor imposed with a purpose to restrict the trade with the other Party.

-- The Parties reiterate the need to safeguard the rules-based, non-discriminatory, fair, open, inclusive, equitable, sustainable and transparent multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core.

-- The Parties wil lstrive to enhance coordination and collaboration within platforms such as the Group of Twenty (G20), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to promote inclusive and non-discriminatory trade development.