BEIJING – As Russian President Vladimir Putin embarked on his visit to Beijing, he extolled the robust partnership with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The two leaders commenced discussions on Wednesday, emphasizing their collaboration in trade and global affairs.
Just days after U.S. President Donald Trump’s meeting with Xi, Putin was welcomed with a formal ceremony at the Great Hall of the People. This rapid succession of high-profile meetings underscores Beijing’s ascending status as a formidable player on the world stage, according to analysts.
In a display of camaraderie, Putin addressed Xi warmly at their bilateral talks. “My dear friend,” he began, “We are truly delighted to see you. We maintain regular contact, both through personal interactions and via our governmental aides.”
Chinese state media reported Xi highlighting the “political mutual trust and strategic cooperation” that anchors the relationship between the two nations. The leaders have previously exchanged glowing accolades, with Xi once naming Putin as his “best and most intimate friend.”
Central to their discussions was the agenda of energy purchases, indicating the economic and strategic importance of their alliance.
Energy purchases top meeting’s agenda
Xi and Putin were set to focus on energy and security as well as their overall ties. The two sides agreed to extend a friendship treaty first signed in 2001, Chinese state media reported.
China became Russia’s top trading partner after Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Beijing has said it is neutral in the conflict while maintaining trade ties with the Kremlin despite economic and financial sanctions by the U.S. and Europe.
China is the top customer for Russian oil and gas supplies, and Moscow expects the war in Iran to increase the demand.
In his meeting with Xi, Putin stressed their countries’ economic ties.
“The driving force behind economic cooperation is Russian-Chinese collaboration in the energy sector,” Putin said. “Amid the crisis in the Middle East, Russia continues to maintain its role as a reliable supplier of resources, while China remains a responsible consumer of these resources.”
Xi stressed the need of “complete cessation of hostilities” in the Middle East, according to Chinese state media.
“An early end to the conflict will help reduce disruptions to energy supply stability, the smooth flow of industrial and supply chains, and international trade order,” Xi said.
A Russian presidential aide said earlier Russia’s oil exports to China grew by 35% in the first quarter of 2026 and that Russia is one of the biggest exporters of natural gas to China.
Xi and Putin show a united front on international affairs
Putin also stressed China and Russia’s cooperation in foreign policy as “one of the key stabilizing factors on the international stage.”
“In the current tense situation on the international stage, our close cooperation is particularly in demand,” he said.
In February 2022, just weeks before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China and Russia announced a “no limits” partnership during a trip by Putin to Beijing.
Beijing says it is neutral in the conflict, though in practice it supports Moscow through frequent state visits, growing trade and joint military drills. China has also ignored demands from the West to stop providing high-tech components for Russia’s weapons industries.
Image-making visit
The two leaders are scheduled to sign cooperation agreements during Putin’s two-day visit.
But regardless of specific deals, the primary purpose of the visit is to reaffirm the countries’ ties as well as project Beijing’s image as an influential superpower, experts say.
“The optics matter,” said Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute at the University of London.
“The message is clearly one that China maintains friendship and strategic partnership with whichever power it likes, and the USA is just one of them.”
Putin and Xi both need to use their close ties in order to prop up their images at home, said Willy Lam, a senior China fellow at the Jamestown Foundation.
Putin “needs to tell his countrymen and the world that Russia has China’s support in terms of buying its oil and gas and other tangible and intangible financial support,” Lam said.
Meanwhile, for Xi, having both Trump and Putin visit in such close succession is a major source of credit with the country’s top Communist leadership.
Putin noted earlier this month that Moscow and Beijing have reached “a very substantial step forward in our cooperation in the oil and gas sector.”
“Practically all the key issues have been agreed upon,” he said. “If we succeed in finalizing these details and bringing them to a conclusion during this visit, I will be extremely pleased.”
Putin also praised their bilateral relationship as a crucial, balancing force in international relations.
“Interaction between such nations as China and Russia undoubtedly serves as a factor of deterrence and stability,” he said.
Moscow welcomes China’s dialogue with the U.S. as another stabilizing element for the global economy, Putin added.
“We stand only to benefit from this, from the stability and constructive engagement between the U.S. and China,” he said.
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Mistreanu reported from Bangkok.
