Russian President Vladimir Putin will make a state visit to China from May 19 to 20, just four days after U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit. The Chinese state media outlet Global Times reported that it is highly unusual for a country to host both the U.S. and Russian leaders within a week, emphasizing China's rise as a center of global diplomacy.
It is not just the U.S. and Russia. Following French President Emmanuel Macron's visit last December, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also traveled to China earlier this year. Leaders of permanent members of the UN Security Council have increasingly visited Beijing in recent months. Global Times anticipates that China's influence in global governance will become more pronounced during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled for this fall.
Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, noted that both the U.S. and Russia, which have been in prolonged conflict over issues like the Ukraine crisis and European security, are treating China as a 'must-visit' destination. He described it as symbolically significant for a single country to emerge as a key diplomatic platform for two major powers.
Li added that the simultaneous engagement of leaders from four permanent UN Security Council members with China reflects a shared recognition of China's international standing. He stated that advancing major international agendas on key issues such as economic recovery, climate governance, nuclear non-proliferation, and regional security is challenging without China's involvement. This recognition also indicates that major powers view China as a stabilizing factor amid increasingly unstable global circumstances.
In this context, Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, remarked on May 16 through Bloomberg that there is a growing belief among U.S. allies that the U.S. may not fully protect them in times of crisis. He interpreted the increasing number of leaders seeking relations with China as a form of 'tribute system,' acknowledging China's regional influence and power.
Ahead of Putin's visit, Chinese state media mobilized to create a positive atmosphere. The People's Daily, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of China, stated on May 18 that "China-Russia relations are at their best in history," highlighting a model of great power relations characterized by enduring friendship, comprehensive strategic cooperation, and mutual benefits.
The state-run Xinhua News Agency also emphasized in a commentary that "practical cooperation is the intrinsic driving force behind the stable development of China-Russia relations," noting that both countries have consistently collaborated across various fields despite a complex and rapidly changing international environment.
During his two-day state visit, President Putin is expected to hold talks with President Xi Jinping, issue a joint statement, and sign multiple agreements between government departments and enterprises. There are expectations that the two countries will once again showcase their close strategic cooperation, contrasting with the lack of clear agreements reached by President Trump during his recent summit with Xi on key issues such as Iran, Taiwan, and trade disputes.
Since taking office, President Putin has visited China more than 20 times and has met with Xi over 40 times, maintaining a close relationship. The last direct meeting between the two leaders occurred during the 80th anniversary military parade in Beijing last September, where they were joined by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, showcasing their close ties at Tiananmen Square.
On May 17, the day before Putin's visit, the 10th China-Russia Expo opened in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province. In a congratulatory message, Xi expressed hope that the deepening and practical cooperation between China and Russia would yield fruitful results, and he encouraged both countries to leverage their geographical proximity and complementary strengths to expand comprehensive practical cooperation. He emphasized the expectation that this would provide new momentum for the long-term development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Russia, enhancing economic and social development and improving the welfare of their peoples.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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