Vladimir Putin is set to visit Beijing this week, marking a significant diplomatic engagement between Russia and China, just days after Donald Trump’s departure from the country following a high-stakes summit. On the eve of Putin’s arrival, Xi Jinping and Putin exchanged congratulatory letters, underscoring the deepening ties between their nations. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the strategic partnership between China and Russia, which Xi described as continuously fortifying, according to Chinese state media.
Putin is expected to meet with Xi on Wednesday morning after arriving in China on Tuesday evening, as confirmed by Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov. The discussions between the two leaders will encompass various aspects of their bilateral relations, including the proposed Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline. Analysts have noted the unusual nature of China hosting leaders from both the US and Russia in such close succession since the end of the Cold War, drawing significant global attention.
The growing alliance between China and Russia has raised concerns in the West, particularly in light of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Western diplomats and analysts argue that China’s economic and diplomatic backing has helped sustain the conflict. Since the onset of the war, bilateral trade between the two countries has reached unprecedented levels, with China purchasing over a quarter of Russia’s exports. China’s substantial acquisitions of Russian crude oil have generated hundreds of billions of dollars for Moscow, further funding its military activities in Ukraine.
Since the Ukraine conflict began, Beijing has reportedly spent more than $367 billion on Russian fossil fuels, highlighting the importance of energy security for China, especially after disruptions in the Middle East affected oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. During Trump’s recent visit to China, talks primarily centered on trade, Taiwan, and Middle Eastern tensions. While the Ukraine crisis received only brief mention in the Chinese statement, it was notably absent from the US statement. Taiwan emerged as a critical point, with Xi warning Trump about the potential for conflict if the issue is mishandled. Trump’s indecision on a major US arms deal to Taiwan remains a point of interest, as halting the sale would align with Beijing’s objectives.
There is speculation that Taiwan might also be a focal point in the upcoming Xi-Putin discussions. According to Joseph Webster, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, Beijing might seek to secure additional fossil fuel agreements with Moscow to safeguard its energy needs in case of future conflict. The expansion of the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, which Russia has been advocating for, could significantly bolster China’s oil security in a potential Taiwan contingency.