Wang Yi Meets Russian Security Council Secretary Shoigu

Summary

On 23 June 2026, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission, met with Russian Security Council Secretary Shoigu in New Delhi, India. Wang Yi noted the success of Russian President Putin's state visit to China last month, during which two joint statements were issued: one outlining a strategic plan for the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era between China and Russia, and the other charting a future direction for human societal development and clarifying the prospects of a multipolar world. China is willing to work with Russia to implement the consensus of the two heads of state and continuously strengthen all-round strategic coordination.

Wang Yi pointed out that BRICS is an important platform for practising multilateralism and upholding fairness and justice, and that China and Russia should promote the BRICS mechanism to become stronger and larger, forming the first echelon of the Global South. The BRICS security representatives should build consensus to address security challenges. Shoigu stressed that the close exchanges between the Russian and Chinese heads of state are the fundamental guarantee for the sustained development of bilateral relations, demonstrating the uniqueness and high level of the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination.

Russia and China need to deepen mutual trust, closely cooperate, jointly resist external interference, and oppose Japan's attempts at 're-militarisation'. The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.

Commentary

This high-level meeting between China and Russia continues the coordination rhythm following the recent mutual visits by the two heads of state. The core lies in strengthening bilateral strategic collaboration and coordination under the BRICS multilateral framework. For New Zealand small and medium enterprise owners, the impact should be considered from two aspects.

On one hand, deepening China-Russia cooperation may further reshape the global supply chain landscape: if the two countries establish closer settlement or trade arrangements in areas such as energy and agriculture, New Zealand exports to China (e.g., dairy products, meat) will face increased risk of competitive displacement. At the same time, Russia's potential agricultural exports to China could squeeze some of New Zealand's market share. On the other hand, the expansion of the BRICS mechanism (e.g., inclusion of new members) and the rising voice of the Global South may drive fragmentation of regional trade rules.

As a trading nation reliant on WTO multilateral rules and regional agreements like the CPTPP, New Zealand needs to be vigilant that bloc-based trends could weaken its open market advantages.

Keywords: Wang Yi, Shoigu, China-Russia relations, BRICS, strategic coordination, multilateralism, New Delhi, joint statement, Global South, security challenges

Source: Embassy of the People's Republic of China in New Zealand