MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit China this month for talks with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, as Moscow and Beijing continue to strengthen political and economic cooperation amid growing tensions with the West.
According to Russia’s TASS news agency, the visit will mark the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, a landmark agreement signed between the two countries in 2001. Putin is also expected to discuss trade, investment and broader economic coordination with Chinese leaders.
The announcement comes just a day after U.S. President Donald Trump concluded his visit to Beijing, the first by an American president in nearly a decade. Although Trump and Xi highlighted several trade understandings, both sides appeared divided over major issues including Taiwan, the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran, and the Russia-Ukraine war.
China has officially maintained neutrality in the Ukraine conflict and repeatedly offered to act as a mediator. However, Beijing’s close relationship with Moscow has continued to draw criticism from Western countries.
In recent months, China and Russia have expanded economic cooperation significantly, with Beijing becoming Moscow’s largest trading partner. Most trade between the two countries is now conducted in Chinese yuan and Russian roubles, reducing reliance on Western financial systems.
