Xi welcomes ‘old friend’ Vladimir Putin in Beijing and secures key agreements<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nPutin on Wednesday officially met with his “good and old friend” Xi Jinping and oversaw the implementation of 20 agreements in high-level visits ranging from trade to technology. <\/p>\n
According to a press conference, Trump left the Chinese capital last week without making any formal agreement. <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, this year marked the 30th anniversary of China and Russia’s cooperative partnership. Despite China’s strained relations with the West, Xi praised the “underlying relationship” of the Moscow\u2013Beijing alliance.<\/p>\n
Putin was welcomed outside the Great Hall of the People, including a guard of honor and a gun salute. But significant differences in the relationship became apparent when the pair prepared to discuss important meetings. <\/p>\n
In his formal address, Putin recited an old Chinese proverb in Russian. For those who don’t know, this saying comes from one of China’s oldest poetry collections, dating back 3,000 years. <\/p>\n
In view of the ongoing conflict with America, relations between Russia and China were becoming fragile. Despite the current disruption associated with effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, Putin said that Russia remains a “reliable energy supplier”. <\/p>\n
It is noteworthy that since the start of the war in Ukraine, China has become Russia’s major trading partner and a favorite customer of Russian oil and gas. <\/p>\n
The war in Ukraine has adversely affected Russia’s economy, with revenues increasing Moscow’s dependence on Beijing. It has been observed that the two-way trade between China and Russia witnessed a significant growth of about 20 percent in the first four months of this year. <\/p>\n
There was no public mention of the proposed Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, which is proposed to link Russia to northern China. <\/p>\n
As Xi welcomes Putin in Beijing, China has reportedly confirmed it will buy 200 Boeing jets following the visit of US President Trump and his Chinese political counterpart Xi Jinping to Beijing last week.<\/p>\n
Essentially, the US deal will provide China with guaranteed supplies of aircraft engine compartments. Under the new agreement, both sides will work toward expanding the tariff temporary agreement agreed to in October and seek tariff cuts on goods worth $30 billion or more. <\/p>\n
Putin visiting China after Trump’s visit, I think, from China’s point of view, is a gesture to the outside world \u2013 he is balancing relations with these countries. For Russia, it does not want to miss out,\u201d Dr. Jiang said. <\/p>\n
His view was that Putin’s visit to Beijing would not have any significant impact on the US, but would have a significant impact on other countries such as Australia and Canada. <\/p>\n
Additionally, reports indicate that Putin’s visit will conclude with a private meeting on key issues on the international agenda.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n