Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have commenced a high-profile visit in Beijing, where they are expected to emphasize their shared vision of a new international order that challenges the dominance of the United States and its democratic allies.
This meeting between the two powerful leaders occurs in a time of increasing global geopolitical tensions. It follows Russia's invasion of Ukraine and coincides with the Israel-Hamas conflict, which both Beijing and Moscow have criticized.
China and Russia have called for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict, demonstrating their efforts to assert an alternative leadership role compared to the United States, which strongly supports Israel's right to retaliate.
Russian President Putin's visit to Beijing allows him to shift international attention away from the Ukraine conflict, as Russia proposed a UN Security Council resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza. However, this resolution did not condemn Hamas and was rejected by the US, UK, France, and Japan.
The Beijing visit also coincides with the Belt and Road Forum, attended by representatives from over 140 countries, providing President Xi with an opportunity to showcase China's global ambitions and infrastructure funding initiatives. The situation in Gaza and the Ukraine conflict are expected topics for discussion during Xi and Putin's bilateral meeting.
China has positioned itself as a potential mediator in the Ukraine conflict but is cautious about pressuring Russia, especially given potential shifts in global positions on the matter and an upcoming US election. Putin's visit to Beijing is noteworthy as he rarely leaves the former Soviet region due to Western sanctions and security concerns.
Xi and Putin's close relationship, which they describe as a "partnership with no limits," has deepened in recent years, with numerous meetings reinforcing their alignment against the West.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has tested the China-Russia relationship, with China claiming neutrality in the conflict but also becoming a vital economic lifeline for Russia.
Despite China's attempts to distance itself rhetorically from Russia when addressing Western audiences, the China-Russia relationship has grown stronger in practical terms, with increased trade, security cooperation, military drills, and deepening diplomatic ties.
This meeting in Beijing underscores the evolving dynamics of global power and the efforts of these two leaders to challenge the Western-led international order.