Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in the Chinese capital late on Tuesday for a high-profile summit with President Xi Jinping, aimed at demonstrating the “unshakeable” nature of their bilateral alliance just days after a visit by US President Donald Trump.
The Russian leader’s aircraft touched down at Beijing Capital International Airport at approximately 15:15GMT, where he was received by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and a military band, reports Gulf News.
In a reception mirroring the pomp of Trump’s arrival last Friday, Chinese youths greeted the Russian President with flags and chants – though this time waving Russian colours instead of American.
The visit, which follows the first trip to China by a US president in nearly a decade, is intended to reinforce the “long-time good friend” relationship between the two leaders.
According to a Kremlin statement, Putin and Xi are scheduled to discuss the expansion of their strategic partnership and “exchange views on key international and regional issues.”
Strategic and economic dependence Ties between Moscow and Beijing have intensified since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with Putin making annual trips to China as Russia faces increasing diplomatic isolation from the West.
However, analysts note the relationship is far from equal; Moscow has become heavily dependent on Beijing as the primary buyer of its sanctioned oil.
A primary focus of the talks is expected to be the “Power of Siberia 2” natural gas pipeline. This major project, which would run from Russia to China through Mongolia, offers a land-based alternative to seaborne crude imports from the Middle East – a development Moscow is keen to initiate.
Global stability and energy trade
In a video message released on Tuesday, Putin lauded the “unprecedented level” of bilateral relations and the continued growth of trade.
He stated that the “close strategic relationship between Russia and China plays a major, stabilising role globally,” adding that the two nations seek peace without allying against any third party.
The summit follows an exchange of “congratulatory letters” on Sunday marking the 30th anniversary of the countries’ strategic partnership. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun also praised the “enduring friendship” between the two nations.
Geopolitical tensions
While Putin and Xi are expected to sign a joint declaration, the visit occurs against a complex geopolitical backdrop. Trump recently informed the media that Beijing had agreed to purchase US oil, a move that could potentially threaten the support Putin relies on to sustain his war effort.
Experts suggest that while Xi may brief Putin on his earlier summit with Trump, the Moscow-Beijing bond remains “structurally stronger” than ties between China and the US.
Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s top diplomat, previously indicated that Russia could “compensate” for any energy shortages China faces due to conflicts in the Middle East.
However, the two powers may differ on the US-Israeli war on Iran. While Beijing requires stability in the Strait of Hormuz for its economic activities, Moscow has benefited from the relaxation of sanctions on its own energy supplies resulting from the regional fighting.
