Xi to Meet Putin After Trump's China Visit, Beijing's Diplomatic Maneuvers in Focus

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to hold a summit in Beijing today to discuss bilateral and international issues, culminating in an informal 'tea chat between old friends.' According to Reuters, this meeting follows closely on the heels of US President Donald Trump's visit to Beijing, and the pageantry and results of Xi's meeting with Vladimir Putin will inevitably be closely scrutinized and compared by the outside world. Xi has a habit of hosting foreign leaders for tea, but the venue and style of interaction are also seen as symbols of the importance he places on his guests. When Xi hosted Putin in May 2024, the two casually drank tea and conversed outdoors in Zhongnanhai, even taking off their ties. Zhongnanhai, located beside the Forbidden City, is a former imperial garden from the Ming and Qing dynasties that now serves as the office complex for the Communist Party and government. In contrast, Trump's stroll through the Zhongnanhai gardens, tea session with Xi, and tour of the Temple of Heaven last week appeared more elaborately arranged and designed. 'Beijing enjoys this kind of spectacle. They love to be the center of global attention and will do their utmost to amplify such achievements for their domestic audience,' said Graeme Smith, a Pacific affairs expert at the Australian National University. He also noted that Trump prefers grand pageantry, while Putin has for years cultivated an image of a close relationship with Xi. When Putin arrived in Beijing last night, he was greeted by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, with an honor guard and Chinese youth waving Chinese and Russian flags lining the welcome. Putin has called Xi a 'dear friend,' while Xi has referred to Putin as an 'old friend.' Putin's visit to China comes as bilateral trade is rebounding after a decline last year. In the first four months of this year, Sino-Russian bilateral trade grew by 16.1% compared to the same period last year. The Kremlin has expressed 'high expectations' for Putin's trip. In addition to formal talks, the itinerary includes a signing ceremony, a state banquet, and a tea session to discuss important international issues in a more relaxed atmosphere. The Kremlin stated that the two sides are expected to sign about 40 documents and issue a 47-page joint statement focused on deepening their partnership. Putin and Xi are also expected to jointly issue a declaration on establishing a multipolar world order and a 'new type of international relations.' Industry experts say that negotiations for the 'Power of Siberia 2' natural gas pipeline, which would connect Russia with northern China, may also feature prominently on the agenda. The so-called 'no limits' partnership between China and Russia has continued to deepen since the West imposed sanctions on Russia over the war in Ukraine. Analysts point out that energy supply shortages related to the conflict with Iran might help Russia push for this pipeline as a long-term gas source, but Beijing may wish to maintain its strategy of diversifying its energy supplies.