Red carpet, military honors and cheering children – Xi pulls out all the stops to symbolize friendship.Keystone
May 20, 2026, 08:48May 20, 2026, 08:48
A few days after US President Donald Trump’s visit, China’s state and party leader Xi Jinping received Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing. In front of the Great Hall of the People, Xi greeted the Kremlin chief with military honors and a red carpet. Pictures from Chinese state media also showed children holding Russian and Chinese flags.
At the start of the talks, Xi referred to the long-standing good neighbors and friendship between the two countries. In an international situation characterized by unrest, China and Russia must advance their comprehensive strategic cooperation.
Cheering children greet the Russian President.Image: AP Pool Sputnik Kremlin
Putin landed in Beijing on Tuesday evening. The visit will focus on discussions on China-Russia relations and international and regional issues. According to Russian information, a tea meeting between the two presidents is also planned. The signing of numerous bilateral documents is also planned. A total of around 40 documents are to be signed.
Friendly meeting with Trump
Putin’s visit is also attracting attention because Xi only received Trump in Beijing last week. According to the Kremlin, the Russian president’s trip had already been planned beforehand. The occasion also marks the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Good Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation between China and Russia.
Xi welcomed Trump with many friendly words and finally invited him to Zhongnanhai, the secluded seat of the Chinese leadership. It should now be observed all the more closely how Xi receives the Russian President and what closeness both demonstrate. The visit allows Beijing to send two messages at the same time: China wants to stabilize relations with the USA after Trump’s visit, but at the same time maintains its close partnership with Russia.
Just last week, Chinese President Xi received Donald Trump in Beijing.Image: keystone
What the visit brings to the two presidents
“The visit serves both presidents,” said Johann Fuhrmann, head of the China foreign office of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. Putin needs the backing of his most important partner. He needs images that convey stability. “Because he is undoubtedly under pressure, and not just economically,” said Fuhrmann. “The fact that Ukrainian drones can now reach Moscow is of course also unsettling the country’s own population.”
The Russian nuclear forces began a major maneuver on Tuesday, the day of Putin’s departure, as a show of force and probably also as a kind of additional security guarantee for the president’s undisturbed flight. Moscow has also recently been the target of Ukrainian drone attacks.
Xi, in turn, could show that the center of world politics is shifting further towards Beijing. The great statesmen lend their support to him: first Trump, now Putin. “The message is clear: neither Washington nor Moscow can get past Beijing, but also Xi personally,” said Fuhrmann.
Russia wants to sell more energy
Another important topic is likely to be energy cooperation. Russia wants to expand its supplies to China. The “Force of Siberia 2” gas pipeline, which has been under negotiation for a long time and is intended to bring Russian gas to China via Mongolia, could also play a role. The project would be strategically important for Moscow after the loss of large parts of the European market. However, Beijing can negotiate from a position of strength.
Putin’s visit to Xi is intended to create images of stability.Image: EPA SPUTNIK POOL
“Whether there is reliable progress will ultimately determine whether the Kremlin can sell the visit as a success,” said Fuhrmann. The Russian side expects movement in the planning of the pipeline, said Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Nowak, who is responsible for energy issues, in Beijing. The head of the Russian gas giant Gazprom, Alexei Miller, is also part of the delegation.
Xi and Putin have maintained a demonstrably close relationship for years. Both heads of state repeatedly describe themselves as friends. Beijing and Moscow speak of comprehensive strategic cooperation. Since the beginning of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, relations have deepened further. Because of Western sanctions, Moscow is more dependent on Beijing economically and diplomatically.
There is also a military performance for Vladimir Putin.Image: EPA REUTERS POOL
State media emphasizes good neighbors
The visit was accompanied by demonstratively friendly comments in Chinese state media. The state-affiliated Global Times wrote that Xi and Putin would set the course for relations in a new phase. The paper emphasized the “permanent good neighborliness” and referred to the more than 4,300 kilometer long common border.
China’s state news agency Xinhua framed Putin’s visit as a contribution to stability in a troubled world. One comment said that the relationships had reached particular “maturity and resilience”. Xi and Putin have met more than 40 times since 2013. It was Putin’s 22nd trip to China. According to the Kremlin, both will meet three more times at international events this year. (nil/sda/dpa)