Xi and Putin hold talks in Beijing after Trump’s visit ends

## Xi and Putin hold talks in Beijing after Trump’s visit ends

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have begun talks in Beijing shortly after US President Donald Trump concluded his visit to China.

Xi welcomed Putin in Beijing ahead of the meeting. Video footage published by Russian media showed the two leaders shaking hands outside the Great Hall of the People before walking side by side along a red carpet into the venue.

A military band played the national anthems of China and Russia during the official reception ceremony.

The formal purpose of the visit is to mark the 25th anniversary of the 2001 Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation between the two countries. However, analysts say the meeting carries much broader strategic significance.

Putin’s arrival in Beijing immediately after Trump’s recent China trip has drawn international attention. Analysts believe Russia was reassured that China remains committed to its strategic partnership with Moscow after the Trump-Xi summit produced no major breakthrough on key issues such as Taiwan and the Iran conflict.

They say Beijing is seeking to show that it can maintain parallel ties with rival powers and position itself as a central player in global diplomacy.

Marina Miron of King's College London said the visit is unlikely to produce any dramatic shift but is expected to deepen the existing strategic relationship between Russia and China.

According to her, the two countries are likely to expand economic cooperation, military technology exchanges and joint energy projects. China remains interested in securing Russian energy at lower prices, while Russia has become increasingly reliant on Chinese technology, including in drone production.

Timothy Ash of Chatham House said the meeting is more important for Putin than for Xi.

He noted that, due to the Ukraine war, Russia has increasingly become a junior partner dependent on China.