Vladimir Putin is scheduled to arrive in Beijing for a state visit four days after Donald Trump left China. The visit, the 25th for Putin, signals Beijing’s growing confidence as a hub of global diplomacy and underscores the close relationship between Putin and Xi Jinping. The two leaders have met more than 40 times, exceeding Xi’s encounters with any Western leaders. Hosting both leaders in quick succession shows China’s expanding international standing and its ability to rely on other major relationships. Putin’s visit also coincides with mounting pressures from Russia’s limited battlefield progress in Ukraine and worsening economic conditions that increase dependence on China. Putin’s pre-visit video highlights record trade growth, settlements in roubles and yuan, and visa-free travel, while China’s foreign ministry emphasizes deepening friendship under Xi and Putin’s strategic guidance.
"Putin's visit to China his 25th, according to Chinese state media reflects Beijing's growing confidence on the world stage as a centre of global diplomatic activity. It also underscores the deep relationship between Putin and China's leader, Xi Jinping. The two men have met more than 40 times, far outstripping Xi's encounters with any western leaders. Hosting two of the most powerful leaders in a matter of days shows China's growing confidence in its place and standing in the world."
"He said Xi likely wants to remind Trump that Beijing has other solid and robust relationships that it can count on, so Washington can't easily isolate or harm Beijing if it tries to. Putin's visit comes as he is entering what may be the most difficult period of his long rule. His strongman image at home is beginning to fray as Russia has made little progress on the battlefield in Ukraine this year."
"Russia's growing economic troubles are steadily increasing its dependence on China, turning what the Kremlin frames as a partnership of equals into a far more lopsided relationship. The Russian leader published a video address to China on the eve of the visit. He said China-Russia relations had reached an unprecedented level, pointing to the countries' soaring bilateral trade, the fact that settlements were conducted nearly entirely in roubles and yuan rather than the US dollar, and mutual visa-free policies for Chinese and Russian travellers."
"China's foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Tuesday: The friendship between China and Russia will be further deepened and will be more deeply rooted in people's hearts by the strategic guidance from Xi and Putin."
Read at www.theguardian.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]