Putin Arrives in Beijing for State Visit, Holds Talks with Xi Jinping

"Even if we haven't seen each other for a day, it feels like three autumns have passed."
— President Vladimir Putin to President Xi Jinping

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday evening for a two-day state visit, holding talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday. The visit occurred just five days after Xi hosted US President Donald Trump.

Arrival and Reception

Putin landed at Beijing Capital International Airport at approximately 11:15 pm local time. He was greeted by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, a Politburo member, and a military band.

The Russian delegation included cabinet ministers and heads of major corporations:

• Igor Sechin, CEO of Rosneft
• Alexei Miller, CEO of Gazprom
• Oleg Deripaska, aluminum magnate
• Heads of VEB, Rosatom, and Roscosmos

The delegation also included five deputy prime ministers, eight ministers, and leading bankers.

Summit Meetings

On Wednesday morning, Xi Jinping welcomed Putin at the Great Hall of the People with a ceremony including a military band playing national anthems, a 21-gun salute, and children waving flags.

The leaders held a "narrow format meeting" with fewer delegates to discuss sensitive issues, followed by a "wide format meeting" with full delegations. They also attended a photo exhibition titled "The Unbreakable Friendship of Great Nations, the Strategic Partnership of Great Powers." Xi and Putin later had tea at Zhongnanhai.

Statements from Leaders

"Relations between Moscow and Beijing have reached an unprecedentedly high level."
— President Vladimir Putin

During opening remarks, Putin referred to Xi as a "dear friend" and recalled a Chinese idiom: "Even if we haven't seen each other for a day, it feels like three autumns have passed." He described Russia as a "reliable energy supplier" and invited Xi to visit Russia next year.

Xi stated that the two countries should support each other's national development. He said the international situation is marked by "unilateral hegemonic currents" and warned against a return to the "law of the jungle." Xi called for working together to promote a "more just and reasonable" global governance system. On the Middle East conflict, he stated that further hostilities are "inadvisable" and that a "comprehensive ceasefire is of utmost urgency."

Signed Documents and Agreements

Xi and Putin witnessed the signing of approximately 20 agreements covering trade, technology, film, sustainable trade, railway construction, and technological cooperation.

The leaders also signed a 9,935-word joint statement covering nuclear security, Taiwan, and wildlife, as well as a joint declaration criticizing Trump's proposed "Golden Dome" missile defense system, calling it a threat to strategic stability.

Background of Bilateral Relations

This was Putin's 25th visit to China in his more than two decades as leader. The visit coincided with:

• The 25th anniversary of the 2001 Sino-Russian Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation
• The 30th anniversary of the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination

Relations have deepened since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. China and Russia describe their relationship as an "all-weather" partnership.

Economic Context

China is Russia's top trading partner and the largest buyer of Russian oil and gas.

• Two-way trade in the first four months of 2025 rose over 16% year-on-year in value
• In 2025, trade was worth 1.63 trillion yuan ($336 billion), down 6.5% from a record in 2024

Energy cooperation, including the proposed "Power of Siberia 2" natural gas pipeline from Russia to China through Mongolia, was expected to be discussed. Though no final deal was announced, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that a general understanding on parameters was reached.

International Context

The visit followed US President Donald Trump's trip to China. Trump's visit did not result in a formal deal, press conference, or joint communiqué, though China's Commerce Ministry confirmed a purchase of 200 Boeing jets and an extension of a trade agreement seeking reciprocal tariff cuts on $30 billion or more of goods each.

The Kremlin stated there was "no correlation" between Putin's visit and Trump's visit. Kremlin spokesperson Peskov said the visit gives Russia an opportunity to share opinions on China's contacts with the US.

Diplomatic Protocol Comparisons

Topics of Discussion

The leaders discussed expanding cooperation in trade, energy, industry, agriculture, transport, and high-tech sectors. Topics also included the war in Ukraine, the Middle East conflict, and international and regional issues. The Kremlin expressed hope for a resumption of peace talks on Ukraine.