Russian President Vladimir Putin has described relations between Moscow and Beijing as “unprecedented” during high-level talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, underscoring a deepening strategic partnership that both leaders say is reshaping global politics.
Meeting at the Great Hall of the People, Putin referred to Xi as a “dear friend” and praised the progress of bilateral ties, which he said had reached new heights. The visit, tied to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation agenda and a military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, was marked by the signing of more than 20 agreements spanning energy, trade, and political cooperation. Chief among them was a landmark deal to advance the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, which will supply 50 billion cubic meters of Russian gas annually to China for the next three decades.
Xi welcomed Putin with similar warmth, pledging to strengthen cooperation in politics, security, and economic development while stressing China’s support for Russia in resisting external pressures. Both leaders emphasized their commitment to working together in global forums such as the United Nations, BRICS, the G20, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
The tone of the summit reflected a deliberate effort to present Russia and China as united in opposition to Western dominance. The timing is particularly symbolic, as Russia continues to face sweeping sanctions from the United States and Europe, while China’s rivalry with Washington intensifies across trade, technology, and security. By sealing major energy and trade deals and announcing the introduction of visa-free travel for Russians later this month, Moscow and Beijing have signaled a shared determination to deepen ties despite pressure from the West.
Their joint statements underscored this defiance, with both sides calling for a “just and equitable” system of global governance, aligning closely with Xi’s Global Governance Initiative. Putin described the partnership as a “stabilizing factor” in international affairs and positioned it as a source of solidarity with countries across the Global South.
The summit also carried historical weight. Both leaders have invoked shared wartime legacies to bolster their message of resisting what they see as Western revisionism of history. Putin’s presence at the Beijing military parade, alongside other leaders including North Korea’s Kim Jong-un and representatives from Iran, further highlighted the sense of an emerging bloc that some Western analysts have dubbed an “Axis of Upheaval.”
For both Moscow and Beijing, the display was not just about strengthening bilateral relations but also about sending a clear message to the international community: they intend to challenge the Western-led order and promote an alternative vision of multipolar global leadership. While questions remain about the long-term durability and effectiveness of their partnership, the Beijing summit marked a watershed moment in the tightening embrace between two powers determined to redefine the geopolitical landscape of the 21st century.
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