Russian President Vladimir Putin Arrives in Beijing for Bilateral Talks with Chinese Counterpart Xi Jinping
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Putin’s trip to China, during which he will also participate in a forum to mark 10 years of the Belt and Road Initiative, is significant as it is the first time this year that the Russian leader has traveled outside of the former Soviet Union. The visit aims to deepen the ties between Russia and China, as well as strengthen the personal friendship between Putin and Xi.
The friendship between the two leaders dates back to 2013 when they celebrated Putin’s birthday together at a summit in Indonesia. Since then, they have engaged in various shared experiences, such as taking a high-speed train ride across China and enjoying caviar-topped blini during a river cruise. In 2019, Putin surprised Xi with ice cream at a conference in Tajikistan. The two men have expressed their admiration and respect for each other, with Xi calling Putin his “best friend” and Putin praising Xi as a “true world leader.”
The closer friendship between Putin and Xi has also led to closer bilateral ties between Russia and China. In February 2022, just days before Putin’s visit to Beijing, the two leaders signed an agreement promising a “no-limits” relationship. Trade between the two countries has surged, making Russia China’s second-largest trade partner outside of Asia.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is expected to be discussed during the talks. Russia’s conflict in Ukraine has been a major concern for the international community, and China has sought to position itself as a neutral party in the conflict. While Beijing’s efforts to mediate the crisis have not made significant progress, European Union policy chief Josep Borrell recently urged China to do what it can to end the war.
Energy cooperation is another key topic of discussion. Russia, facing international sanctions, is eager to secure a deal to sell more natural gas to China. The countries also cooperate closely on civilian nuclear plants and have shared technology in aviation, rockets, and submarines.
Putin’s visit comes at a crucial time as expectations of a potential ground invasion of Gaza by Israel rise. The issue was discussed during the meeting between the Russian and Chinese foreign ministers, and both leaders called for intensified efforts to avoid a humanitarian disaster. Putin and Xi are expected to continue discussions on this matter and seek a resolution through diplomatic channels.