BEIJING: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to hold high-stakes official talks in Beijing on Wednesday, with the two leaders expected to sign dozens of agreements aimed at deepening cooperation in trade, energy and defence as Moscow and Beijing strengthen their strategic partnership amid tensions with the United States and growing global instability.
According to the Kremlin, Wednesday’s agenda will include official talks between the delegations, a signing ceremony for multiple bilateral agreements and a state banquet hosted by Xi.
The summit marks the 40th face-to-face meeting between Putin and Xi, underscoring the close relationship the two leaders have cultivated over the past decade.
After the formal events, the two leaders are expected to hold informal one-on-one discussions over tea.
Russian and Chinese officials are expected to sign a sweeping 47-page joint statement outlining the future direction of bilateral cooperation alongside about 40 separate agreements covering energy, trade, infrastructure, technology and defence cooperation.
Putin arrived in the Chinese capital late on Tuesday for a two-day state visit focused on expanding political, economic and defence cooperation between Moscow and Beijing.
He was welcomed on arrival by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi ahead of formal meetings scheduled with Xi at the Great Hall of the People on Wednesday.
The visit comes only days after United States President Donald Trump concluded his own trip to Beijing, where he held meetings with Xi amid continuing disputes over trade, security and technology.
Analysts say the rapid succession of diplomatic engagements highlights China’s effort to position itself as a central actor in global diplomacy at a time of mounting geopolitical fragmentation.
For Xi, hosting both Trump and Putin within the same month allows Beijing to project itself as a major global power capable of maintaining relations with rival international actors while signalling to Washington that China cannot be diplomatically isolated.
The meeting also takes place against the backdrop of Russia’s war in Ukraine, growing tensions involving Iran and renewed instability in the Strait of Hormuz, developments that have heightened concerns over global energy security.
China has increasingly turned towards Russia as a dependable overland supplier of oil and gas as Beijing seeks to reduce its vulnerability to disruptions in major maritime trade routes.
Relations between Moscow and Beijing have expanded significantly since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which pushed the Kremlin into deeper economic and diplomatic isolation from the West.
China has since emerged as Russia’s largest trading partner and one of the biggest buyers of Russian energy exports, while Moscow has become increasingly reliant on Chinese manufacturing and technology amid Western sanctions.
Ahead of the visit, Putin praised ties between the two countries in remarks carried by Russian state media.
“Russia and China look confidently towards the future,” Putin said.
He said the two countries were “actively developing cooperation in politics, economics, defence, expanding cultural exchanges, and fostering interpersonal interaction”.
“In essence, jointly doing everything to deepen bilateral cooperation and advance global development for the wellbeing of both nations,” Putin added.
Despite growing Western concern over their alignment, both countries insist their partnership is not directed against third parties and is aimed at promoting what they describe as a more balanced multipolar world order.
