Russia-China Trade Hits All-time High

Trade turnover between Russia and China continues to grow at an unprecedented pace, hitting a historic high in November despite the pressure of Western sanctions. 

 

According to Chinese customs data, trade volumes with Russia increased by 26.7% in the first 11 months of 2023, amounting to a record $218.17 billion. In November alone, trade amounted to $21.5 billion, an 8.6% month-on-month increase. 

 

Exports from China to Russia jumped by 50.2% to $100.33 billion in January-November, while imports from Russia to the Asian country surged by 11.8% to $117.84 billion. 

 

Russia emerged as China’s fifth-largest trading partner (excluding Hong Kong and Taiwan) in the reporting period, behind the US, EU, South Korea, and Japan.

 

Luis Suarez (right) scored twice in his farewell match for Gremio as the Brazilian side defeated Fluminense 3-2 at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday. 

 

The 36-year-old Uruguayan football icon scored in the 43rd minute and then bagged a second with a cheeky “panenka” from the penalty spot in the 64th minute.

 

The victory ensured Gremio finished second in the Brazilian championship, two points behind champions Palmeiras as the season drew to a close on that same day. It marked a fitting finale to what has been a dazzling season in Brazilian football for Suarez, who cut short his two-year deal with Gremio after one season, saying the calendar was too much for his ageing body. 

 

Leading Gremio as captain, Suarez played in 54 of the club’s 64 matches in 2023, scoring a total of 29 goals. He ended the year as the second-highest goalscorer in the Brazilian league, with 17, inspiring down-on-its-luck Gremio to an unexpectedly solid season.

 

“I love this job, but it’s hard waking up in pain every morning”, he declared two weekends ago. “I’m hard-headed and I want to keep playing, but I don’t know what comes next”.

 

Those comments came after he scored the lone goal in Gremio’s win over Vasco in his final home match, earning an emotional standing ovation from the sold-out crowd. 

 

If, indeed, he is calling it a day, he will be missed! To make his "departure" more difficult, Gremio’s strong showing this season means they have qualified for the Copa Libertadores next year, the South American equivalent of Europe’s Champions League. 

 

“I would have loved to play in that competition. But my body is calling the shots”, Suarez said. “I need rest, recreation and time to think. It’s hard to say "basta" (Spanish for "enough"). Footballers are never ready for retirement”.