Putin and Xi emphasize strengthening China-Russia ties during Beijing summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed their strategic partnership on May 20, 2026, in Beijing, describing their bilateral relations as "unyielding" during high-level talks. The meeting took place just days after US President Donald Trump's visit to the Chinese capital and is being closely watched by international observers as a significant indicator of shifting geopolitical dynamics.

Xi Jinping welcomed Putin with full military honors at the Great Hall of the People, where children waved Chinese and Russian flags during the ceremonial reception. The formal greeting included an honor guard and gun salute before the two leaders proceeded to bilateral discussions. Putin praised Russian-Chinese relations as reaching an "unprecedented height" and described them as a model for interstate relations based on equality and mutual respect.

The talks focused primarily on energy security, trade cooperation, and current geopolitical developments. Particular attention was given to the planned "Power of Siberia 2" gas pipeline project, which would connect Russian gas fields in Siberia to China through Mongolia. Russia has long pushed for the realization of this project as an expansion of existing gas export routes to China, while Beijing seeks additional energy supplies. Russian officials hope that turmoil in energy markets due to the Middle East conflict will make China more flexible in contract negotiations regarding gas prices.

Putin underscored the economic dimension of the partnership with concrete figures, stating that trade turnover between the two countries reached nearly $240 billion in 2025. During the visit, Russian and Chinese delegations signed 20 bilateral documents, though specific details of their contents were not immediately disclosed. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of both leaders, emphasizing the importance both sides place on deepening their cooperation.

In his remarks, Xi Jinping emphasized that the current international situation is characterized by uncertainty and turbulence, with "unilateralism and hegemonism" on the rise. Both countries share a common vision of a multipolar world order, understood as an alternative to US global dominance. Putin described the talks as substantive and highlighted that they took place in a traditionally friendly and trust-based atmosphere.

The timing of Putin's visit is considered particularly significant by analysts. Trump's previous visit to Beijing had been received with great pomp but yielded no major breakthroughs, including on assistance with reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Xi has recently hosted a series of world leaders as increasingly unpredictable US policies under Trump have pushed many to shore up alliances with Beijing. The war in Iran has further accelerated this trend.

Moscow and Beijing have significantly deepened their strategic cooperation in recent years. Beyond energy projects, both countries collaborate on joint ventures including Arctic exploration and nuclear energy development. The Kremlin had expressed "serious expectations" for the visit beforehand, with analysts predicting new energy deals. Russia is satisfied with ongoing cooperation with China on oil and gas supplies, as Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak stated before the visit.

The discussions took place against the backdrop of ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, which have heightened global tensions. Both countries face Western sanctions and diplomatic pressure, further driving their rapprochement. The meeting was also scheduled to conclude with an intimate tea session and banquet, underscoring the personal dimension of the relationship between Putin and Xi.

The international community will closely scrutinize the summit's outcomes, as both the optics and concrete results could provide insights into shifting geopolitical alliances. The emphasis on "unyielding" relations by both sides signals further consolidation of the strategic partnership between the world's two largest authoritarian powers, as tensions with the West continue.

The meeting comes at a time when both leaders face significant domestic and international challenges. For Putin, strengthening ties with China provides an alternative to Western markets amid ongoing sanctions, while Xi sees the partnership as crucial for China's energy security and geopolitical positioning. The formal extension of their treaty of "friendly cooperation" during the talks demonstrates the institutionalization of what both leaders describe as a relationship built on mutual support, friendship, and genuine neighborliness.

Analysts note that the substantive nature of the discussions, involving key officials from both sides, suggests that concrete agreements may emerge beyond the ceremonial aspects of the visit. The focus on energy cooperation, particularly given current global market volatility, could yield significant economic benefits for both nations while further reducing their dependence on Western partnerships.