Beijing —
Chinese President Xi Jinping praised relations with Russia as a force for “calm in chaos” during a meeting with President Vladimir Putin in Beijing on Wednesday, days after Xi hosted US President Donald Trump.
Mr. Xi hinted at the increasingly difficult international situation and launched a veiled attack on the United States as he met with President Putin at the Great Hall of the People to begin the Russian leader’s nearly 24-hour state visit to the Chinese capital.
“The international situation is characterized by an intertwining of chaos and change, but at the same time, a trend of unilateral hegemony is prevalent,” Xi said, using language unique to China to criticize what he sees as the excesses of US foreign policy.
In the face of this, Xi said China and Russia should strengthen “comprehensive strategic cooperation”, according to Chinese state media.
The Chinese leader directly addressed the US-Israel war against Iran, saying its “early end” would help reduce disruption to energy supplies, supply chains and trade.
“There is no delay in bringing about a comprehensive cessation of the war, and the resumption of hostilities is even more undesirable, so it is especially important to persistently continue negotiations,” Xi said.
Putin, who is at war in Ukraine, will make his 25th official visit to China in a quarter century as Russian leader, during which time Moscow and China have significantly strengthened ties across trade, diplomacy and security.
Today’s meeting between Putin and Xi is expected to focus on further expanding their “unrestricted” partnership, while also giving them an opportunity to discuss Trump’s visit and the wars in Ukraine and Iran.
Hosting the leaders of the United States and Russia, both countries in conflict, in a matter of days is a boon for Mr. Xi as he seeks to cement China’s reputation as a global power broker.
Putin’s welcome outside the monumental Great Hall on Wednesday morning had all the trappings of a typical state reception that the Chinese government also gave Trump last week.
After Mr. Xi and a group of senior officials shook hands with the Russian president, Mr. Putin and Mr. Xi appeared relaxed and stood shoulder to shoulder in a salute as a military band played and Russian and Chinese flags fluttered in the background.
Children also waved flags and flowers as the leaders passed, a feature of last week’s ceremony that clearly amused President Trump.
These views appeared aimed at highlighting the enduring and deepening partnership between China and Russia even as both governments change their relationships with the United States.
The two countries are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the 2001 Treaty of Good Neighborhood, Friendship and Cooperation, which resolved years of border friction and ushered in a new era of cooperation.
That cooperation was further deepened by Mr. Xi and Mr. Putin, who have met more than 40 times and are known for their close personal relationship.
Putin alluded to this in his opening remarks to Xi, in which he quoted a Chinese idiom meaning “one day apart is like three autumns,” which is used to emphasize the sadness of separation.
But behind all the pomp and circumstance, Putin may be facing Xi in a much weaker position than he was during his last visit to Beijing in September.
Days before his arrival, Ukraine launched its largest attack in more than a year, targeting the capital Moscow with more than 500 drones, according to Russian media. Russia is also losing ground against Ukraine, suffering what analysts say is its first net loss of territory last month since August 2024.
With Middle East conflicts straining Beijing’s access to oil, Mr. Xi could use the increasingly lopsided relationship between the two countries to push for a victory for China in energy cooperation, as Russia’s economy is heavily dependent on China.
