Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to arrive in Beijing on Tuesday for a two-day state visit aimed at deepening Russia-China ties amid rising geopolitical tensions and growing global economic uncertainty.
Putin is visiting China at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The visit comes days after US President Donald Trump concluded a high-profile trip to China, placing Beijing at the centre of major global diplomacy.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko said that Moscow and Beijing have a broad agenda for talks covering bilateral cooperation and major international crises.
“We have a very broad negotiating agenda with China, which includes both bilateral and international issues. I am sure that all the key and most acute crises that exist in the world today will be discussed,” Rudenko told reporters.
During the visit, Putin and Xi are expected to hold discussions on trade, energy, security cooperation, the Ukraine conflict, the Middle East crisis, and global strategic stability. Putin is also scheduled to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
Addressing the people of China through a video message, as shared by Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Putin highlighted the friendly relations between the two countries, maintaining that regular visits enhance the nature of the relationship between the two countries.
He expressed his pleasure at visiting Beijing again, noting that it was at the invitation of his long-time friend, Chinese President Xi Jinping. He emphasized that regular exchanges and high-level talks between Russia and China play a key role in strengthening cooperation and in fully realizing the vast potential of their relationship.
Describing the partnership, he said Russia and China have now reached an unprecedented level of relations. He added that this special bond is marked by strong mutual understanding and trust, a shared commitment to mutually beneficial and fair cooperation, respectful dialogue, and support for each other on key issues, including safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“I am delighted to be visiting Beijing once again at the invitation of my long-time good friend, the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping. Regular mutual visits and Russia-China top-level talks are an important and integral part of our joint efforts to promote the entire range of relations between our two countries and unlock their truly limitless potential,” he said.
Putin appreciated Xi’s commitment to long-term cooperation with Russia, pointing out that the collaboration has expanded both countries’ position in politics, economy, and defence. Russia and China are actively expanding their contacts in politics, the economy, and defence, while broadening humanitarian exchanges and encouraging person-to-person interaction. It means that together we are doing everything that can further deepen bilateral collaboration and advance the comprehensive development of our countries. It is important that these are the issues that will shape the agenda of the upcoming talks in Beijing,” he said.
Trade between Russia and China surpassed the USD 200 billion mark and mutual settlements are conducted entirely in Rubles and Yuan.
The ministry said the visit is “timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the signing of the ‘Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness, Friendship and Cooperation’ – a foundational document for interstate relations.”
The two leaders signed a “no limits” strategic partnership agreement in February 2022, shortly before Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine. Since then, economic and diplomatic ties between Moscow and Beijing have expanded significantly.
Ahead of Putin’s visit, Xi and Putin exchanged congratulatory messages marking the 30th anniversary of their strategic partnership. Chinese state media described relations between the two countries as “unshakeable” despite a turbulent international environment.
In comments carried by Chinese media, Xi said cooperation between China and Russia has “continuously deepened and solidified,” while stressing the importance of maintaining global strategic stability.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said cooperation between the two countries continued to expand across multiple sectors and contributed to international justice and stability.
“This week’s visit is Putin’s 25th trip to China during his more than two decades in power,” Chinese media noted, highlighting the close personal relationship between Putin and Xi, who have met more than 40 times.
The Kremlin said Putin views ties with China as having reached a “truly unprecedented level,” with both countries supporting each other on issues related to sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The visit is expected to focus heavily on energy cooperation as global oil markets remain volatile following tensions in the Middle East and disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz. China has sharply increased imports of discounted Russian crude oil since Western sanctions were imposed on Moscow over the Ukraine conflict.
Russia is also pushing forward the proposed “Power of Siberia 2” gas pipeline project, which would significantly expand gas exports to China.
The back-to-back visits by world leaders in China show Beijing’s growing diplomatic influence as major powers seek to navigate shifting global alliances, as the West Asia issue remains unsettled.
Chinese state-backed newspaper Global Times described Beijing as “fast emerging as the focal point of global diplomacy,” noting that it is rare in the post-Cold War era for China to host the leaders of both the United States and Russia within a single week.
The discussions between Xi and Putin are also expected to touch on the evolving world order, with both countries advocating a “multipolar world” and a new international framework less dominated by the West.
“The close strategic relationship between Russia and China plays a major, stabilising role globally. Without allying against anyone, we seek peace and universal prosperity. It is in this spirit that Moscow and Beijing act in a coordinated manner to defend international law and the provisions of the UN Charter in their entirety, completeness, and interconnectedness,” he said. ”I am confident that together we will continue to do everything possible to deepen Russia-China partnership and good-neighbourliness for our two countries’ dynamic development and for the well-being of our peoples, in the interests of maintaining global security and stability,” Putin said.
