Diplomacy: Putin expected in Beijing on Thursday

After beginning his fifth term in office, Russian President Vladimir Putin is traveling to China on his first foreign visit. The Kremlin chief is expected in Beijing on Thursday, May 16, at the invitation of state and party leader Xi Jinping, China’s state news agency Xinhua reported.

The visit lasts until Friday (May 17th). The fact that China is Putin’s first foreign target underscores the close relationship between the two nuclear powers and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. The Kremlin also confirmed the state visit. Accordingly, the entire complex of the bilateral partnership as well as issues of international politics will be discussed, it was said.

According to information from Moscow, a joint statement will be published and several contracts will be signed following the talks. Putin and Xi will also take part in a ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the Kremlin press service said.

Close partners

While the West has condemned Moscow’s war of aggression against Ukraine and imposed sanctions on Russia, China maintains a neutral stance towards the outside world. Beijing is thus providing support to its long-standing partner.

The Chinese have not yet agreed to take part in the upcoming Swiss peace conference, where Russia will not be at the table. Beijing supports a peace solution within the framework of a conference. From the Chinese perspective, however, this must meet the demands of both warring parties, which is currently unrealistic.

Last visit almost six years ago

Putin’s last state visit to China was almost six years ago. In June 2018, the Russian traveled to the Chinese capital as well as to the nearby industrial city of Tianjin and the east coast city of Qingdao. Putin most recently traveled to Beijing in October for the Belt and Road Forum, an international meeting of countries that are part of China’s “New Silk Road” infrastructure and investment initiative. Xi greeted him as an “old friend” at a meeting on the sidelines of the forum.

Beijing and Moscow regularly praise their good cooperation. China sources raw materials from Russia, and conversely, Chinese car brands export their vehicles to the neighboring country. According to the Kremlin, Putin also wants to visit a Russian-Chinese trade fair in the northern city of Harbin. According to Chinese figures, foreign trade between the two sides reached 240 billion US dollars (currently around 222.5 billion euros) last year.

Western states such as the USA accuse Chinese companies of supplying goods to Russia that can be used for civil and military purposes and thus supporting Moscow’s defense industry. Some companies have already ended up on Washington’s sanctions lists. Beijing accuses the US government of trying to hinder the development of the world’s second-largest economy and rejects external interference in its relations with Russia.