The evolving trade relationship between Russia and China in 2022 was highlighted as potentially reaching record highs, even amid ongoing global challenges. This perspective came from Zhang Hanhui, the Chinese Ambassador to Russia, who spoke about the potential for a new milestone in bilateral commerce.
In his assessment, achieving trade figures above 200 billion dollars by year’s end could mark a fresh peak in the two nations’ commercial exchanges. He stressed that, despite numerous restrictions that have made large-scale indicators harder to obtain, the trajectory points toward substantial growth and renewed momentum in cross-border trade.
The ambassador noted that the two countries are advancing cooperation across several strategic sectors. Key areas include energy, nuclear energy development, aviation, space exploration, and major infrastructure projects. His comments suggest a deliberate effort to deepen ties beyond traditional trade, fostering collaboration that supports long-term mutual benefits.
He emphasized that increased interaction builds a solid foundation for advancing a higher level of cooperation. The Chinese side is positioned to continue working with its Russian partners, focusing on improving trade quality and expanding overall volume, while seeking to align with Russia’s industry needs and development priorities.
Data from the Chinese General Administration of Customs indicated notable growth in the early months of 2022. In the first seven months, bilateral trade reached 97.71 billion dollars, reflecting a 29 percent increase from the previous period. Exports from China to Russia grew by about 5.2 percent during January through July, totaling 36.27 billion dollars, while Russia’s imports from China rose by roughly 48.8 percent, reaching 61.45 billion dollars. These figures illustrate a robust, expanding corridor of trade activity and demonstrate the practical impact of ongoing collaboration between the two economies (RIA Novosti). The data highlights a trend toward stronger economic integration, even in a climate of global uncertainty and geopolitical shifts (RIA Novosti).)