In a display of strengthening ties, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin exchanged congratulatory letters just days before Putin’s anticipated visit to Beijing. This visit comes shortly after former U.S. President Donald Trump departed from China following a significant summit. The exchange of letters underscores the deepening cooperation between the two nations, which marks the 30th anniversary of their strategic partnership, according to Chinese state media.
Putin’s arrival in China is scheduled for Tuesday evening, with a meeting with Xi planned for Wednesday, as reported by Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov. The discussions between the leaders are expected to cover various aspects of bilateral relations, including the proposed Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline. Analysts have noted the rarity of China hosting the leaders of both the U.S. and Russia in such close succession since the post-cold war era, drawing significant global attention.
The growing relationship between China and Russia has raised concerns in the West, particularly since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Western diplomats and analysts suggest that China’s economic and diplomatic support has been instrumental in sustaining the conflict. The leaders have met more than 40 times, a frequency that surpasses Xi’s interactions with Western counterparts. Since 2022, bilateral trade has reached record levels, with China purchasing over a quarter of Russia’s exports, including substantial amounts of Russian crude oil, providing Moscow with vital revenue for the war effort.
Beijing’s energy security has benefited from its purchases of over $367 billion in Russian fossil fuels, especially critical following disruptions in the Middle East that affected oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Interestingly, the Ukraine conflict and Sino-Russian relations were not prominent topics during Trump’s recent talks with Xi. The discussions primarily focused on trade, Taiwan, and the Middle East, with Trump emphasizing the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Xi addressed the Taiwan issue with Trump, cautioning against the risks of mishandling the situation. Trump left Beijing undecided on a major arms deal with Taiwan, which, if halted, would be a significant victory for Beijing. Joseph Webster, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, suggests that Taiwan might be an underlying theme in the Xi-Putin meeting, with Beijing potentially eyeing further fossil fuel deals to bolster its energy security in case of future conflicts. Russia is eager for China to advance on the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, which would significantly boost pipeline capacity between the two countries.