The leaders of China and Russia praised progress in their strategic ties on Wednesday (20), during a meeting in Beijing for a summit where Moscow is expected to push for stronger energy ties.
Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin with a guard of honor and a gun salute in the Great Hall of the People, while children waved Chinese and Russian flags. In addition to formal conversations, the two are expected to end the day with an informal meeting for tea.
Following United States President Donald Trump’s visit to the Chinese capital, the image and results of the event will be thoroughly analyzed and compared.
Xi Jinping said the two countries should focus on a long-term strategy and promote a “fairer and more reasonable” global governance system, according to a transcript from Chinese state news agency Xinhua.
“The reason China-Russia relations have reached this level is because we have been able to deepen political mutual trust and strategic cooperation,” Xi said at the beginning of his address.
Putin stated that relations between the two countries contribute to ensuring global stability and highlighted that Russia remains a reliable energy supplier amid the crisis in the Middle East.
“Even in the face of unfavorable external factors, our cooperation and economic ties continue to demonstrate good dynamics,” said Putin, who added that he had invited Xi to visit Russia next year.
Tea Diplomacy
Xi Jinping is known for hosting visiting leaders for tea, but the atmosphere and manner of these meetings can be seen as a sign of the Chinese leader’s regard for his guest.
When Xi Jinping hosted Putin for talks in May 2024, the two ditched their ties as they drank tea outdoors in Zhongnanhai, a former imperial garden that now houses the Chinese Communist Party and government offices.
In contrast, Trump’s tour of a secret garden and tea with Xi at the same complex, as well as his visit to the Temple of Heaven last week, seemed more choreographed.
“Beijing is loving the repercussions of this. They are loving being in the global spotlight and are going to make the most of it for their domestic audience,” said Graeme Smith, a senior research fellow in the Pacific Affairs department at the Australian National University.
The rare back-to-back visits to Beijing by the leaders of two major countries who are deeply divergent from each other politically, militarily and economically were hailed by Chinese state media as a recognition of China’s global position in an increasingly fragmented world order.
High expectations
Putin, who called Xi a “dear friend” and was considered an “old friend” by the Chinese leader, arrives at a time when bilateral trade is improving after a slump last year. Bilateral trade increased by 16.1% in the first four months of this year compared to the same period in 2025 in terms of value.
Trade between China and Russia reached 1.63 trillion yuan ($240 billion) in 2025, down 6.5 percent from the 2024 record and marking the first decline in five years.
Putin acknowledged the need to reverse the downward trend, nodding to China’s importance as an economic lifeline for sanctions-hit Moscow as the war in Ukraine hurts its economy. He is accompanied by a delegation that includes deputy prime ministers, ministers and heads of state-owned companies and large banks.
The Kremlin has raised “high expectations” for Putin’s visit, which, in addition to the talks, will include a signing ceremony and a banquet followed by tea, where the two leaders will discuss important international issues in an informal setting.
According to the Kremlin, around 40 documents are expected to be signed and a 47-page joint declaration on strengthening the partnership is expected.
Industry experts said that negotiations on , which should link Russia to northern China, should also be on the agenda.
The so-called “boundless” partnership between China and Russia has strengthened since the West imposed sanctions to punish Russia for the war in Ukraine.
Conflict-related energy shortages in Iran may bolster Russia’s case for the pipeline as a long-term source of gas, but Beijing may prefer to stick to its supply diversification strategy.
