Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping have used high-level talks in Beijing to reinforce the growing strategic partnership between Russia and China amid mounting global tensions. The summit focused on trade, energy, security and international governance, while both leaders criticised what they described as Western unilateralism and hegemonism…reports Asian Lite News
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties between Moscow and Beijing, presenting their partnership as a stabilising force in a changing global order during high-level talks in the Chinese capital.
The summit in Beijing came amid rising geopolitical tensions and only days after United States President Donald Trump completed an official visit to China, underlining Beijing’s increasingly prominent diplomatic role on the world stage.
The two leaders used the meeting to highlight what they described as a deep and enduring strategic partnership, while criticising unilateralism and hegemonism in international affairs. Both sides said their cooperation was aimed at promoting a more balanced and multipolar world order.
Speaking during bilateral talks at the Great Hall of the People, Putin praised the strength of relations between the two countries and referred to Xi as his “dear friend.”
“My dear friend,” Putin said. “We are truly delighted to see you. We keep in constant touch, both personally and through our aides in the government.”
Putin said cooperation between Russia and China had expanded significantly over the past 25 years and described the relationship as a model of modern interstate cooperation. “Russia-China cooperation has expanded greatly over 25 years. Our two countries maintain close contacts and actively work on mutual projects and initiatives,” Putin said.
He added that the partnership was focused on the “well-being and prosperity of the Russian and Chinese peoples.” Chinese President Xi Jinping also stressed the importance of strategic coordination between the two countries. According to Chinese state media, Xi highlighted the need for “political mutual trust and strategic cooperation” at a time of growing global instability.
Xi warned that the world faced rising risks from what he described as unilateralism and hegemonism and said China and Russia should work together to strengthen global governance structures. “Today, the international landscape is undergoing momentous changes, and the world risks returning to the law of the jungle,” Xi said.
“As permanent members of the UN Security Council and important major countries in the world, China and Russia should take a strategic and long-term perspective… and work to make the global governance system more just and reasonable.”
The two countries also agreed to extend the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation, first signed in 2001. Chinese state media described the move as a sign of the enduring nature of bilateral ties. According to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, Putin’s latest trip marks his 25th official visit to China. Guo said the two leaders had met dozens of times since Xi came to power in 2012 and frequently referred to one another as “dear friends.”
Energy cooperation featured prominently in the discussions. China has become Russia’s largest trading partner since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Beijing has maintained strong economic ties with Russia despite sanctions imposed on Moscow by the United States and European countries. Russia remains a major supplier of oil and natural gas to China, while Beijing is one of Moscow’s most important export markets.
“The driving force behind economic cooperation is Russian-Chinese collaboration in the energy sector,” Putin said. “Amid the crisis in the Middle East, Russia continues to maintain its role as a reliable supplier of resources, while China remains a responsible consumer of these resources.”
A Russian presidential aide said Russia’s oil exports to China rose by 35 per cent in the first quarter of 2026 and added that Russia was among the biggest suppliers of natural gas to China. Xi also linked instability in West Asia to concerns over energy supplies and international trade. Chinese state media quoted him as calling for an immediate end to hostilities in the region.
“An early end to the conflict will help reduce disruptions to energy supply stability, the smooth flow of industrial and supply chains, and international trade order,” Xi said. The leaders also discussed wider international security issues and portrayed their partnership as an important source of global stability.
Putin described foreign policy cooperation between Moscow and Beijing as “one of the key stabilising factors on the international stage.” “In the current tense situation on the international stage, our close cooperation is particularly in demand,” he said.
Russia and China declared a “no limits” partnership in February 2022, shortly before Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. While Beijing insists it is neutral in the conflict, Western governments have accused China of providing economic and technological support that has helped sustain Russia’s defence industries. China has continued to expand trade with Russia and has ignored repeated calls from Western countries to halt the supply of high-tech components that could be used in Russian weapons production.
The two countries have also deepened military and diplomatic coordination through joint military exercises and regular state visits. Putin said Moscow welcomed dialogue between China and the United States and suggested stable relations between the two powers would benefit the wider global economy.
“We stand only to benefit from this, from the stability and constructive engagement between the US and China,” Putin said. The summit also highlighted the importance of the BRICS grouping, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa among its founding members. The bloc has expanded in recent years and now represents more than half of the world’s population and around 40 per cent of global GDP, according to figures cited during the discussions.
Analysts said the symbolism of Putin’s visit was as important as any agreements signed during the trip. Experts suggested the rapid succession of visits to Beijing by both Trump and Putin reflected China’s growing influence in international diplomacy. Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute at the University of London, said the optics of the meeting were significant.
“The message is clearly one that China maintains friendship and strategic partnership with whichever power it likes, and the USA is just one of them,” Tsang said. Willy Lam, senior China fellow at the Jamestown Foundation, said both leaders benefited politically from displaying close ties.
Lam said Putin needed to demonstrate Russia still had strong international backing and reliable energy customers despite Western sanctions, while Xi could use the high-profile meetings to reinforce his standing with China’s Communist Party leadership. The visit is expected to conclude with the signing of several cooperation agreements covering trade, energy, regional security and economic development.
Putin said earlier this month that Russia and China had made substantial progress in oil and gas cooperation and suggested key details had already been agreed. “Practically all the key issues have been agreed upon,” he said.
“If we succeed in finalising these details and bringing them to a conclusion during this visit, I will be extremely pleased.” As the two leaders continue talks in Beijing, the summit is being closely watched internationally as another sign of the deepening strategic partnership between China and Russia and its implications for the balance of global power.
