Putin visits China as Xi seeks to balance relations with U.S. and Russia
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- Putin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday night for a two‑day meeting with Xi Jinping, days after President Donald Trump finished his own Beijing trip.
- Putin and Xi will discuss economic cooperation and “key international and regional issues,” coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the 2001 Sino‑Russian Treaty of Friendship.
- Wang Yi emphasized that the Trump and Putin visits are “not mutually exclusive,” reflecting China’s effort to balance its U.S. relationship while preserving ties with Russia.
- Xi referred to Putin as an “old friend,” a rare diplomatic term, while Putin called Xi a “dear friend,” underscoring the depth of the bilateral bond.
- Sergey Lavrov met Xi earlier in April, where Xi described the China‑Russia relationship as “precious” amid ongoing Western sanctions.
Why it matters: Russia secures a vital market for its oil and gas as China marks the 25th anniversary of their friendship treaty, weakening U.S. leverage in its sanctions campaign and reinforcing a strategic bloc that can shape global trade.
