Chinese President, Xi Jinping, is set to welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin to Beijing this week, just days after the departure of former US President Donald Trump, in a sequence Chinese state media says underscores Beijing’s growing influence in global diplomacy.
The Russian leader’s visit comes four days after Trump concluded his trip to China. Although officials say the scheduling overlap was unplanned, following delays to Trump’s summit after the United States and Israel launched another war on Iran, Beijing appears keen to highlight the symbolism of the back-to-back engagements.
Chinese state media described the meetings as evidence that Beijing is “fast emerging as the focal point of global diplomacy”.
Ahead of Putin’s arrival, Russian officials praised the longstanding relationship between Moscow and Beijing, describing the partnership as deep, enduring and “precious”. In a video released before the trip, Putin referred to Xi as his “long-time good friend”.
The two leaders have maintained close ties for years, meeting more than 40 times, with this visit marking Putin’s 25th trip to China. By comparison, Trump’s recent visit was only his second.
Analysts say the relationship between Xi and Putin has remained steady through years of geopolitical shifts, including the period when Trump was out of office. Both leaders are expected to remain influential figures well beyond a potential second Trump presidency.
Observers note that the strengthening China-Russia alliance is driven not only by a shared desire to counter American global dominance, but also by the consequences of US foreign policy decisions.
One key example is the conflict involving Iran, which has reportedly increased China’s purchases of Russian oil to record levels. Russian oil imports into China have risen by about 35 per cent this year, now making up roughly one-fifth of the country’s crude oil supply.
Russia’s war in Ukraine has also placed mounting pressure on Moscow’s economy and military campaign, creating new urgency for the Kremlin to secure stronger economic cooperation with Beijing.
Putin is expected to push for progress on the proposed Power of Siberia 2 pipeline project, which would transport Russian gas through Mongolia into China. The project would become the second major gas pipeline connecting the two countries.
Despite booming trade relations since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 — including China purchasing an estimated $370 billion worth of Russian fossil fuels — Beijing has remained cautious about committing fully to the second pipeline project, particularly over pricing concerns and long-term energy strategy.
However, recent instability in the Middle East and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz may have increased the appeal of a secure overland energy route for China, potentially improving the chances of an agreement.
Securing a concrete deal in Beijing would represent a significant diplomatic win for Putin, especially after Trump’s recent visit reportedly produced few tangible outcomes.
According to the official agenda, Xi and Putin are expected to sign around 40 agreements during Wednesday’s meetings. No comparable signing ceremony took place during Trump’s stay in Beijing last week.
During Putin’s previous visit to Beijing, he attended a military parade commemorating the end of World War II, where he, Xi and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un were reportedly overheard discussing longevity and living to the age of 150.
Attention is now turning to what discussions may emerge from this latest summit, including private conversations expected to take place during tours of Beijing’s state gardens — the same location where Trump reportedly admired trees older than the United States itself.
