Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Beijing for talks with his Chinese counterpart and “long-time good friend” Xi Jinping, days after a visit by US President Donald Trump.
The confirmation of Putin’s trip came just hours after Trump wrapped up his visit on Friday, the first to China by a US president in nearly a decade and one aimed at stabilising their turbulent relations.
Putin arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport around 1515 GMT on Tuesday, where he was greeted by Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi and a military band.
It was a near-mirror image of Trump’s arrival days earlier, with both leaders stepping out of their planes onto a red carpet as Chinese youths chanted “Welcome, welcome” this time, waving Russian flags instead.
Putin and Xi are set to discuss how to strengthen Russia and China’s strategic partnership and “exchange views on key international and regional issues”, according to a Kremlin statement.
Their ties have deepened since the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, with Putin visiting Beijing every year since then.
‘Congratulatory letters’
Among topics Xi and Putin could discuss is the construction of the major “Power of Siberia 2” natural gas pipeline from Russia to China through Mongolia, a land alternative to crude imported by sea from the Middle East, which Moscow is keen to get underway.
Setting a warm tone for the visit, Xi and Putin exchanged “congratulatory letters” on Sunday to mark 30 years of their countries’ strategic partnership.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun lauded “the enduring friendship between China and Russia” on Tuesday.
And in a video message to the Chinese people released on Tuesday, Putin said relations have reached “a truly unprecedented level” and that “trade between Russia and China continues to grow”.
“The close strategic relationship between Russia and China plays a major, stabilising role globally. Without allying against anyone, we seek peace and universal prosperity,” Putin said, without mentioning any third country.
