By After securing approval to extend his leadership of Russia for three more decades, Vladimir Putin is set to journey to Beijing for a state visit with Xi Jinping. This visit aims to strengthen their crucial international alliance.
Putin’s trip comes shortly after his re-election, which ensures his rule until 2030. The election lacked genuine opposition, solidifying Putin’s autocratic grip on power. Scheduled for May 16-17, the visit mirrors Xi’s own trip to Moscow over a year ago, marking the start of his renewed presidential term, achieved by altering term limit regulations.
In a pre-visit interview with China’s Xinhua news agency, Putin commended Beijing’s understanding of global conflicts’ root causes and geopolitical significance. The two leaders celebrated their unwavering friendship in 2022, intending to counterbalance US influence.
However, tensions rose following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent US efforts to isolate Russia from China.
Despite recent US tariffs on Chinese imports and escalating global conflicts, Xi and Putin’s bond, rooted in opposing Western dominance, is expected to strengthen.
Their meeting coincides with international criticism of the US, particularly regarding its support for Israel’s actions in Gaza. This provides an opportunity for Xi and Putin to discuss their shared goal of challenging US hegemony.
In his interview with Xinhua, Putin emphasized the potential of Sino-Russian collaboration in various sectors, including industry, technology, space exploration, renewable energy, and nuclear power for peaceful purposes. Xi’s principles, discussed with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, emphasize conflict de-escalation, peace restoration, stability creation, and minimizing global economic impacts.
However, Ukrainian officials dismiss Putin’s calls for negotiations, considering them hypocritical. Nonetheless, Putin reiterated the importance of equal and mutually beneficial cooperation between Russia and China, aiming to strengthen a multipolar world order.
The relationship between Putin and Xi began in 2014 with discussions on a significant gas supply deal amid Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Their partnership flourished despite Western criticism, evident in Xi’s visit to Moscow during the Victory Parade boycotted by Western leaders.
In 2018, both nations showcased their military cooperation during joint strategic drills, and in 2019, amidst the US-China trade war, Xi hailed Putin as his “best friend” during a visit to Moscow.
Trade between the two countries surged, leading to Xi gifting two pandas to Moscow as a symbol of friendship.
Before Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, he visited Beijing, further solidifying their alliance. Xi reciprocated the support by visiting Moscow in 2023, emphasizing their countries’ economic interdependence amid Russia’s isolation from the West.
The recent imposition of US tariffs on Chinese imports has fueled Beijing’s outrage, condemning it as bullying tactics. Despite this, the Putin-Xi alliance remains steadfast, aiming to challenge US dominance and promote a multipolar world order.
Putin’s visit to Beijing underscores the enduring partnership between Russia and China, which continues to evolve amidst global conflicts and geopolitical shifts.
