Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday reaffirmed the strength of China-Russia relations during high-level talks in Beijing, just days after US President Donald Trump concluded his visit to China.
Xi welcomed Putin at the Great Hall of the People with an honour guard and gun salute, as the two leaders moved to highlight their strategic partnership by extending their treaty of “friendly cooperation”.
During the opening session, Xi said China and Russia should pursue long-term strategic coordination and work toward a “more just and reasonable” global governance system.
“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.
Putin described bilateral relations as a stabilising force in global affairs and stressed that Russia remained a dependable energy supplier amid ongoing disruption in the Middle East.
“The comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation between Russia and China in the new era is an example of international relations in the modern world,” Putin said, while also inviting Xi to visit Russia next year.
Chinese state media reported Xi saying the two countries had “continuously deepened our political mutual trust and strategic coordination with a resilience that remains unyielding”.
Putin, meanwhile, said ties had reached an “unprecedentedly high level” despite “unfavourable external factors”, without directly naming any country.
Xi also criticised “unilateral and hegemonic countercurrents running rampant”, in what appeared to be a veiled reference to the United States.
The meeting came as Russia continues to face Western sanctions over the war in Ukraine, increasing Moscow’s reliance on China as a major energy buyer. At the same time, instability in the Middle East and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz have created opportunities for Russia to expand energy cooperation with Beijing.
Analysts believe Putin may use the visit to push forward discussions on the proposed “Power of Siberia 2” gas pipeline linking Russia and China through Mongolia.
The visit also highlighted the growing diplomatic coordination between Beijing and Moscow as both countries navigate tensions with Washington. Xi has recently hosted several world leaders amid concerns over the increasingly unpredictable foreign policy direction of the United States under Trump.
Observers noted that unlike Trump’s highly choreographed state visit last week, Putin’s trip reflected a more familiar and established relationship with Xi. Experts said the Chinese and Russian leaders view their partnership as more stable and structurally durable than China-US ties.
On the Middle East crisis, however, Beijing and Moscow appeared to differ slightly in priorities. Russia has benefited from rising oil prices linked to the conflict, while China has pushed for de-escalation to protect global trade routes and economic stability.
Xi told Putin that further escalation in the region was “inadvisable” and stressed that a “comprehensive ceasefire is of utmost urgency”.
