Russia and China Assert Their Strong Partnership During Putin’s Trip to Beijing
The visit occurred amid growing concerns in Washington and Brussels regarding China’s assistance to Russia in rebuilding its defense industrial base.
On May 16, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Chinese communist leader Xi Jinping, reaffirming their unlimited partnership amid mounting pressure from the United States and the European Union (EU).
Putin’s visit to Beijing, at the invitation of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader, marks his first overseas trip since assuming a new six-year term as president earlier this month, extending his 24 years of rule and putting him on track to become one of Russia’s longest-serving leaders.
During their discussions, Putin highlighted Moscow’s collaboration with Beijing in global affairs as a key stabilizing factor on the international stage.
They are working together to establish a more just and democratic world order that reflects multipolar realities, as per a Kremlin statement.
In return, Xi pledged to further develop their relationship, referring to Russia as a good neighbor, friend, and partner, according to a summary from China’s foreign ministry.
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To solidify their partnership under U.S.-led pressure, the two leaders issued a joint statement reinforcing their comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era after a lengthy meeting on May 16, as reported by China’s state media Xinhua.
Their meeting in Beijing coincided with growing concerns in Washington and Brussels over China’s role in helping Russia reconstruct its defense industrial base.
In a briefing later on May 16, the U.S. State Department warned that the CCP must choose between supporting Russia or maintaining relations with the West.
State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel stated that China cannot have both good relationships with Europe and the West while fueling a significant threat to European security by supporting Russia’s defense industry. Patel emphasized that the United States will closely monitor China’s actions and take appropriate measures independently through other multilateral forums.
‘CCP Won’t Stop Its Assistance to Russia’
Given the circumstances, Putin is likely to use his discussions with Xi and senior CCP officials to ensure continued support from China, according to Cheng Chin-mo, an expert in Russia and international relations at Taiwan’s Tamkang University.
China has become a crucial lifeline for Russia’s wartime economy, with bilateral trade between the two countries reaching a record $240.1 billion in 2023, a 25 percent increase from the previous year, as per China’s customs data released in January.
Cheng told The Epoch Times before the May 16 meeting that Putin remains dependent on the CCP and is concerned that China may prioritize its relationship with Europe over supporting Russia amid economic challenges.
However, Cheng noted that the CCP is unlikely to cease its aid to Russia, as Xi has defended their robust economic ties as normal trade.
