China Policy Monitor No. 1634

PLA TO "EXPAND PRACTICAL COOPERATION" WITH RUSSIAN MILITARY
The defense relationship between China and Russia is "operating at a high level" and the PLA is ready to "expand practical cooperation" with the Russian military, a PLA spokesperson has said. "The Chinese military stands ready to work with the Russian side to further deepen strategic mutual trust, step up strategic communication, and expand practical cooperation." The moves "enrich the content of China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination," he noted. While in Moscow for a lavish World War II Victory Day parade, Xi Jinping had a long meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which the Chinese leader said Sino-Russian cooperation had brought "positive energy" to a turbulent world and was a bulwark against "hegemonic bullying" – that is, by the U.S. (The Hindu, May 15, 2025)

CHINA AND RUSSIA SIGN LUNAR NUCLEAR REACTOR DEAL
China and Russia are building a lunar nuclear power plant as part of a plan to construct a permanent human presence on the moon. During Xi's recent visit to Moscow, China's National Space Administration and the Russian space agency ROSCOSMOS signed the Memorandum of Understanding to compete the China-Russia International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) by 2036. The lunar reactor, which is essential to supporting humans on the moon, will allow China and Russia to establish a permanent research base on the moon's south pole by the mid-2030s. To build the research station, China aims to place astronauts on the moon by the year 2030. (South China Morning Post, May 14, 2025)

CHINA AND BRAZIL INK DEALS, VOW TO DEFEND FREE TRADE
China and Brazil have signed more than 20 agreements, including deals for Brazilian agricultural exports, currency swaps, mining and sustainable nuclear energy. Speaking in Beijing, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said bilateral relations had "never been more necessary" and vowed for the countries "to unite their voices against unilateralism and protectionism." Lula is in Beijing on a four-day official state visit to attend the China-Latin American and the Caribbean Forum alongside Chile's President, Gabriel Boric, and Colombian President Gustavo Petro. Ahead of his visit, Beijing lifted restrictions on some Brazilian soybeans previously suspended over phytosanitary concerns. China, which purchases more than 60% of globally traded soybeans, buys over 70% of them from Brazil. China has $4.8 billion invested in Brazil and Chinese automakers, energy, metal, and beverage companies have announced plans to invest billions more. (Reuters, May 13, 2025)

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Last November in Brasilia, Xi and Lula upgraded their diplomatic relations and signed three dozen agreements on infrastructure, energy, agribusiness, etc. They will meet again in July at the BRICS summit in Rio, and once more in November when Xi, along with hundreds of Chinese business leaders, will visit Brazil for the UN climate summit.]

COLOMBIA JOINS THE BRI
Colombia has officially joined China's Belt and Road Initiative. Colombia's foreign minister, Laura Sarabia, called the decision Bogota's "boldest step in decades." "The signing of this cooperation plan opens up a horizon of endless opportunities in trade, investment, and tourism. There is no turning back: Colombia is resolutely opening up to the world," said Sarabia. China wants to import more from Colombia and will support its firms' investments there, Xi told Colombian President Gustavo Petro in Beijing. Petro made his first trip to China as president in October 2023, when he upgraded the relationship between the two countries to a strategic partnership. Twenty Latin American nations are among the more than 150 countries participating in the BRI. (Reuters, May 14, 2025)

CHINA EXPANDS VISA-FREE TRAVEL TO FIVE LATIN AMERICAN NATIONS
Beginning June 1st, China will offer visa-free travel to Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay. Citizens from those five South American countries can now stay in China for up to 30 days for tourism, family visits, or business without a visa. "We welcome more foreign friends to make full use of visa-free entry and streamlined visa policies – and to come to China to explore and see more, and experience the vibrancy, diversity and warmth of the country," said a foreign ministry spokesperson. Speaking to the China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States Forum in Beijing, Xi Jinping called the visa exemptions a "first step" and pledged to expand them, adding that China's ties with the region were set to "firmly stride into their next golden decade" and calling for more free trade and a "more democratic" international system. (South China Morning Post, May 15, 2025)

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Since 2023, China has been expanding visa-free access in order to attract more foreign visitors following three years of strict COVID travel restrictions. Citizens of dozens of countries can spend 240 hours in China visa-free during transits.]