Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing on Tuesday, highlighting the strength of China–Russia relations as the two countries deepen cooperation while facing increasing pressure from the United States.
The leaders described each other as “dear friend” and “old friend,” underscoring the personal rapport that has become symbolic of their growing strategic partnership. Putin declared Moscow’s ties with Beijing were now at “an unprecedentedly high level,” while Xi hosted him for a formal meeting followed by tea at Zhongnanhai, the nerve centre of China’s political power.
China later announced a new 30-day visa-free policy for Russian travellers, signalling its intent to broaden people-to-people and economic exchanges. The talks also produced fresh agreements on energy cooperation, including a memorandum for the construction of an additional natural gas pipeline from Russia to China. Gazprom and a Chinese state energy company also signed deals to expand existing deliveries.
The meeting came immediately after the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin and ahead of a grand military parade in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. At the SCO summit, Xi urged reforms to create what he described as “a more just and equitable global governance system,” positioning China and Russia as counterweights to U.S.-led institutions.
Despite China’s official neutrality on the Ukraine war, Beijing has provided Moscow with an economic lifeline by sustaining trade despite Western sanctions. This has drawn criticism from Washington and Brussels, which have sanctioned some Chinese companies accused of aiding Russia’s military sector.
Observers note that China–Russia relations are shaped by shared grievances as well as mutual interests. “China and Russia face the same problem and must work together to jointly cope with the pressure from the U.S.,” said Li Xin of Shanghai University of Political Science and Law.
The visit also included a trilateral meeting with Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, reflecting regional efforts to strengthen ties despite geopolitical scrutiny. Mongolia, resource-rich and strategically situated between its two powerful neighbours, has become an important partner for both Moscow and Beijing.
With U.S. tariffs and sanctions still weighing on China, and Russia isolated over its war in Ukraine, the deepening partnership signals a united front at a time of global realignment. Xi and Putin’s commitment to expanded cooperation suggests that the trajectory of China–Russia relations will remain a defining factor in international politics for years to come.
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