Real head scratcher. Russia extracts raw materials, and China turns them into finished goods. They need a pact to reiterate this fact? Sounds more like a photo op than any kind of breakthrough.
Might have to do with reaffirmation.
China was upset with the "Arab Spring" situation that developed and sunk the oil futures China had just negotiated with Libya. Russia was distracted by the same "Arab Spring", and has just completed a pipeline and oil deal with China that will take two years to get fully operational. This may be the reaffirmation of that trade agreement before "Arab Spring" and the new deals.