China and Russia on Wednesday highlighted steady progress in their strategic partnership during high-level talks in Beijing, where Moscow is expected to seek deeper cooperation on energy and trade.
Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin with full ceremonial honours at the Great Hall of the People, including a guard of honour and a gun salute, as children waved both countries’ flags.
Beyond formal discussions, the two leaders were also expected to conclude the day with a private tea meeting.
The summit comes shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing, with analysts closely watching how the symbolism and outcomes of the China-Russia meeting compare with recent diplomatic engagements in the capital.
At the start of the talks, Xi emphasised the direction of bilateral ties and broader global ambitions, saying the countries should work toward a “more just and reasonable” global governance system, according to Xinhua.
“The reason China-Russia relations have reached this level is because we have been able to deepen political mutual trust and strategic cooperation,” Xi said at the start of his meeting with Putin.
Putin, in turn, framed the partnership as a stabilising force in global affairs and reaffirmed Russia’s role in the energy market despite ongoing geopolitical pressures.
“Even against the backdrop of unfavourable external factors, our cooperation and economic ties continue to demonstrate good…dynamics,” said Putin, who added that he had invited Xi to visit Russia next year.
The informal “tea diplomacy” segment of Xi’s hosting style is often interpreted as a signal of closeness with visiting leaders. During Putin’s previous visit in May 2024, both leaders reportedly removed their ties while speaking in Zhongnanhai, the leadership compound in Beijing.
By contrast, Trump’s recent visit included a carefully choreographed walk through a private garden and a tea meeting, alongside a tour of the Temple of Heaven, drawing attention to Beijing’s diplomatic staging.
“Beijing is loving the optics of this. They’re loving being the centre of world attention, and they will be playing it for their domestic audience for all that it’s worth,” said Graeme Smith, a senior fellow at the Australian National University’s Pacific Affairs department.
Chinese state media described the back-to-back visits by leaders of major global powers as evidence of China’s rising diplomatic influence amid an increasingly fragmented international order.
Trade remains a central pillar of the China-Russia relationship. Bilateral commerce has rebounded recently after a previous slowdown, with early-year figures showing strong growth compared with the same period last year.
However, overall trade in 2025 is reported to have dipped 6.5% from the record levels seen in 2024, marking the first decline in five years.
Putin’s delegation includes senior government officials, deputy prime ministers, and leaders of major state-owned corporations and banks, underscoring the economic weight of the visit.
The Kremlin has described “serious expectations” for the trip, which includes multiple rounds of talks, a formal signing ceremony, a state banquet, and an informal tea session focused on international issues.
Around 40 agreements are expected to be signed, along with a 47-page joint statement outlining deeper cooperation.
Energy discussions are also expected to feature prominently, including negotiations around the proposed Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, which would connect Russia to northern China.
While Moscow sees the project as strategically important, Beijing continues to balance long-term energy security with supply diversification, even as shifting global energy pressures strengthen Russia’s case.
