In a significant diplomatic exchange, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin shared congratulatory letters this past Sunday, as Putin prepares for an upcoming visit to Beijing. This visit follows closely on the heels of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s high-stakes summit in China. Xi highlighted the ongoing deepening and strengthening of cooperation between China and Russia, marking the 30th anniversary of their strategic partnership. The two leaders have consistently met, surpassing Xi’s interactions with Western leaders, which underscores the importance of their bilateral relations.
Putin is scheduled to arrive in Beijing on Tuesday evening, with a meeting set for Wednesday morning with Xi, as confirmed by Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov. Discussions between the two leaders will cover a range of topics, including the proposed expansion of the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline. Analysts have noted the unusual timing of these tightly sequenced visits, highlighting the rare occurrence of a country hosting leaders from both the U.S. and Russia in such quick succession since the post-Cold War era.
The evolving relationship between China and Russia has raised concerns in Western nations, especially in the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Western diplomats and analysts assert that China’s economic and diplomatic support for Russia has been instrumental in sustaining the conflict. Since the onset of the war, bilateral trade between the two nations has surged, reaching record levels. Notably, China has purchased over a quarter of Russia’s exports, including more than $367 billion worth of Russian fossil fuels, which has significantly bolstered Moscow’s war finances.
Amidst these developments, the recent talks between Trump and Xi appeared to steer clear of the Ukraine conflict and the Sino-Russian relationship. Instead, their discussions focused more on trade, Taiwan, and the Middle East crisis, particularly the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Xi pressed Trump on the issue of Taiwan, warning of potential conflict if not handled correctly. Trump, on his part, left Beijing undecided on approving a multibillion-dollar arms deal to Taiwan, a decision that could have significant implications for U.S.-China relations.
According to Joseph Webster, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, Taiwan may be an underlying theme in the upcoming Xi-Putin meeting. Beijing could be looking to secure more fossil fuel agreements with Moscow to ensure energy supplies in the event of a future conflict. Expanding the capacity of Russian oil pipelines to China, Webster suggests, could significantly enhance Beijing’s energy security in a potential Taiwan contingency. Meanwhile, Russia continues to urge China to advance the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline project, which would add substantial capacity to their existing energy network.