Putin follows Trump to China

After Trump’s visit, Putin flew to meet Xi Jinping in China. During the official visit, the sides signed agreements aimed at strengthening friendly bilateral ties. The meeting also included criticism of the war in the Middle East and warnings about the danger of returning to the “law of the jungle.”

US President Donald Trump paid an official visit to China on May 14-15 this year. A few days later, a Russian delegation also visited China. Many interpreted this as Putin rushing to Beijing after Trump. In reality, however, that was not the case. The US official visit to China had been planned for March, but due to the conflict in the Middle East, the meeting was postponed several times and eventually took place in May.

Russia’s visit to Beijing in May had also been planned in advance in connection with the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation signed between Russia and China in 2001. Thus, May became a major month of diplomacy for China. We also prepared a program on the most sensitive and important developments from the US-China meeting, which can be viewed on our YouTube page.

Russian delegation also visits China after the US

Russian President Vladimir Putin began his first foreign trip of 2026 with a visit to China. The official visit was dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation between Russia and China.

The visit took place on May 19-20. Ahead of his arrival in China, Putin addressed the Chinese people in a video message. In it, he extended warm greetings to the people of China and expressed his intention to further strengthen friendly relations between the two countries. He also said the meeting was not about uniting against anyone, but about working for peace and prosperity.

“Dear Chinese friends, I send you my greetings. I am pleased to visit Beijing again at the invitation of my dear friend Xi Jinping. I sincerely appreciate Xi Jinping’s commitment to long-term cooperation with Russia. Our friendly relations help us define plans for the future and implement them. The close strategic partnership between Russia and China plays an important stabilizing role on the world stage. We are not becoming friends against anyone; we are working for peace and common prosperity,” Putin said.

On May 19, the Russian president arrived in China with a large delegation. The delegation included five deputy prime ministers, eight ministers, representatives of the presidential administration, several regional governors, heads of state corporations, chairmen of major banks and business representatives.

The delegation also included Russian Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina and Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund. The guests were welcomed at the airport by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Putin’s program in Beijing then began with an official ceremony at Tiananmen Square.

Talks behind closed doors

On May 20, talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping began at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The talks were first held in a narrow format, during which the most important and sensitive issues in Russia-China relations were discussed.

During the meeting, Putin once again called Xi Jinping his dear friend. He also said he was ready to take part in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit to be held in Shenzhen in the autumn. Putin also invited Xi to visit Russia next year, in 2027.

“There is a saying in China: if you do not see someone for one day, it feels as if three autumns have passed. Today, our relations have reached an unprecedentedly high level and have become an example of true comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation,” Putin said.

Xi Jinping said Russia and China, as important global powers and members of the UN Security Council, should help shape a fairer global governance system. He also noted that the treaty on good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation signed 25 years ago had opened the way for major progress in relations between the two countries, adding that Beijing supported extending the agreement.

“China-Russia relations have gradually reached their current high level thanks to firm political mutual trust and strategic cooperation,” the Chinese leader said.

After that, an expanded meeting began, with 39 representatives attending from the Russian side. The leaders of the two countries signed a joint statement on further strengthening comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation.

Representatives of the two countries signed 20 joint documents. These documents are aimed at deepening cooperation in industry, trade, transport, construction, nuclear energy, education and cinematography, as well as developing ties between news agencies.

During the talks, Putin said Russia-China relations had passed the test of strength. According to the Russian president, the firm foundations of the well-being and prosperity of the two nations had allowed their relations to successfully withstand these tests.

“Our goal is the well-being and prosperity of the peoples of Russia and China. These solid foundations have allowed our relations to repeatedly and successfully pass tests of strength and resilience,” Putin said.

The sides noted that, in the quarter-century since the signing of the basic Treaty of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation in 2001, Russia-China cooperation had expanded significantly.

Putin also separately discussed trade and economic issues with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

In addition, the meeting addressed global developments. In particular, the sides said US and Israeli attacks in the Middle East undermined stability and violated international law.

They also emphasized the danger of regional fragmentation and a return to the “law of the jungle.” The sides added that the US “Golden Dome” project could have negative consequences for the international community.

“A complete cessation of military operations in the Middle East is necessary, and the conflict must not resume. Otherwise, the world faces the risk of returning to the law of the jungle,” Xi Jinping said.

Agreement on Power of Siberia 2

During the meeting, the sides signed a declaration on the formation of a multipolar world and a new type of international relations. They also adopted a statement on strengthening comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation.

In addition, Russia and China reached an agreement on the key parameters of the Power of Siberia 2 project.

Moscow and Beijing signed a declaration on building a multipolar world. The announcement was made by the leader of the host country.

China will extend its visa-free regime with Russia until December 31, 2027. The decision was announced by China’s Foreign Ministry.

One of the main issues during Putin’s visit to Beijing was increasing Russian gas supplies to China.

It should be noted that, against the backdrop of the Iran and US-Israel war, US sanctions on Russian oil and gas had been partially lifted. Xi Jinping also said it was necessary to end the war in Iran.

“The US-Iran-Israel war has also affected global energy supplies and the stability of international trade. Ending the clashes would not only bring peace to the region, but also create conditions for the safe continuation of energy supplies and international trade in global markets,” the Chinese president said.

According to him, ending the war would help reduce threats to global energy supplies and the stability of international trade.

Statement during the live broadcast

After their talks in Beijing, Putin and Xi Jinping addressed the media. They spoke about the results of the negotiations and good-neighborly relations. Xi Jinping described the talks with Putin as friendly and productive. He said Russia and China would firmly defend the authority of the United Nations and oppose all forms of hegemony.

He also said Russia and China should continue supporting each other on issues affecting their core interests.

“Russia and China should continue supporting each other on issues affecting their core interests. Russia and China should be strategic pillars for one another,” Xi Jinping said.

The Russian president said the two countries had created a stable mutual trade system protected from negative trends in global markets, adding that this plays an important stabilizing role internationally. He also said mutual trade in rubles and yuan would be further expanded. During the two-day official visit, the leaders of both countries said Russia-China relations had reached the highest level in history.

For more details about the event, watch the video on QALAMPIR.UZ’s YouTube page.