Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in China for state visit, security group meeting
Trip comes as both countries forge closer ties amid strained relations with the US
Chinese President Xi Jinping treated Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to a state visit on Friday as the neighbouring giants forge closer ties in the face of US diplomatic and economic challenges.
Putin, re-elected to his fourth Kremlin term in March, arrived at the grandiose Great Hall of the People in Beijing for talks with Xi, who could stay in power for life after term limits were lifted this year.
The two heads of state reviewed a military honour guard and greeted flag-waving children during the welcome ceremony before retreating into the vast building.
The most powerful Russian and Chinese leaders in decades, Xi and Putin have built closer ties while US President Donald Trump has labelled both countries as economic rivals that challenge US interests and values.
Xi and Putin are “soul mates who want to make their countries great again”, Alexander Gabuev, senior fellow at the Carnegie Moscow Center, said.
“Both share scepticism towards American hegemony and distrust US intentions, both are authoritarian personalistic rulers,” he added.
China is mired in tough negotiations with the United States to avoid a trade war, while Moscow has deep differences with Washington on multiple diplomatic fronts, including Syria and Ukraine.
