Putin visits Xi, reaffirming unbreakable bond.
Russian President Vladimir Putin Arrives in Beijing for High-Stakes Meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping
In a widely watched trip aimed at showcasing the trust and “no-limits” partnership between Russia and China, President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This visit comes at a critical time as the war in Ukraine continues to rage on.
This is only Putin’s second known trip abroad since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him in March. Despite the warrant, Putin and his entourage flew into the Beijing Capital International Airport, where they were warmly greeted by Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao.
Notably, this is Putin’s first official trip outside of the former Soviet Union this year, following his visit to Kyrgyzstan earlier this month.
The ICC has accused Putin of illegally deporting children from Ukraine, which obliges its member states to arrest and transfer him to The Hague for trial if he sets foot on their territory. However, neither Kyrgyzstan nor China are members of the ICC, which was established to prosecute war crimes.
A “No-Limits” Partnership
Xi Jinping last saw his “dear friend” Putin in Moscow just days after the arrest warrant was issued. During that meeting, Xi invited Putin to attend the third Belt and Road forum in Beijing, an international cooperation forum championed by the Chinese leader.
As Putin arrived at the Great Hall of the People for an evening banquet organized for global leaders and dignitaries attending the forum, Xi Jinping was all smiles as the two men warmly shook hands. Putin, as the forum’s chief guest, stood to the right of Xi Jinping as world leaders posed for group photographs.
On Wednesday, Putin will also speak at the forum after Xi Jinping gives his opening speech. The two leaders will hold bilateral talks later in the day.
Strong Beijing-Moscow Ties Amidst Western Criticism
Beijing has firmly rejected Western criticism of its partnership with Moscow, emphasizing that their collaboration does not violate international norms. China asserts its right to collaborate with any country it chooses, regardless of ongoing conflicts such as the war in Ukraine.
This visit marks Putin’s third attendance at the Belt and Road Forum, which runs through Wednesday. He previously attended the forums in 2017 and 2019.
The Belt and Road Initiative
The forum revolves around the Belt and Road initiative, a grand plan launched by Xi Jinping a decade ago. This initiative aims to build global infrastructure and energy networks connecting Asia with Africa and Europe through overland and maritime routes.
Putin has praised the Belt and Road initiative, considering it a platform for international cooperation where ”no one imposes anything on others.”
Amidst the Ukrainian conflict, Russia has strengthened its energy ties with China, solidifying their economic cooperation. Russia currently exports over 2 million barrels of oil per day to China, accounting for more than a third of its total crude oil exports. Additionally, Moscow plans to construct a second natural gas pipeline to China.
While the heads of Russia’s oil and gas giants Rosneft and Gazprom are part of Putin’s traveling delegation, no new energy deals are expected to be announced during this trip.
It is important to note that this visit is not a “full-fledged bilateral” visit but rather one made on the sidelines of an international conference, according to the Kremlin.
(Reporting by Ryan Woo; additional reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; editing by Christopher Cushing and Simon Cameron-Moore)
What specific joint projects and initiatives are expected to be discussed between Putin and Xi Jinping, and how will they contribute to the partnership between Russia and China
E Belt and Road forum, where he is expected to emphasize the importance of cooperation between Russia and China in promoting economic development and regional stability.
The friendly atmosphere between Putin and Xi Jinping reflects the close relationship between the two countries. Russian and Chinese officials have repeatedly stressed the strategic partnership and “no-limits” cooperation between Moscow and Beijing.
This partnership has been particularly evident in recent years as Russia and China have faced increasing Western pressure and sanctions. Both countries have sought to strengthen their economic ties, with China becoming Russia’s largest trading partner and Russia becoming China’s largest supplier of crude oil. Additionally, the two countries have conducted joint military exercises and have coordinated their positions on international issues, including the conflict in Syria.
The meeting between Putin and Xi Jinping is expected to further solidify this partnership and result in increased cooperation in various fields, including energy, trade, and technology. The two leaders are likely to discuss the implementation of joint projects, such as the construction of the Power of Siberia gas pipeline and the development of the Arctic region.
Furthermore, the meeting will provide an opportunity for Putin to seek Chinese support on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Russia has long sought to portray the conflict as an internal matter and has accused Western countries, including the United States, of interference. By meeting with Xi Jinping, Putin may be aiming to garner Chinese support or at least prevent any further condemnation of Russia’s actions.
The meeting between Putin and Xi Jinping comes at a critical time in international relations. With Western countries increasingly at odds with Russia over issues such as Ukraine and Syria, and with China facing its own challenges in its relationship with the United States, the partnership between Moscow and Beijing has become even more important.
As the two leaders engage in discussions, it is clear that their meeting has far-reaching implications for the future of not only Russia and China, but also for the global geopolitical landscape. The outcomes of their talks will not only shape bilateral relations but will also have implications for the broader international community.
Overall, Putin’s visit to Beijing highlights the strong bond between Russia and China and underscores their determination to strengthen their partnership. This meeting provides an opportunity for the two leaders to reaffirm their commitment to a “no-limits” cooperation and to explore further avenues for collaboration, particularly in the face of mounting Western pressure. As the world watches, the outcome of this high-stakes meeting will undoubtedly have significant ramifications for international politics and the global balance of power.
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