14-5-2024 (MOSCOW) In a move that underscores the deepening ties between Russia and China, President Vladimir Putin is set to embark on his first foreign trip since securing a new six-year term, with a state visit to Beijing scheduled for May 16-17. The Kremlin’s announcement on Tuesday highlights the significance of this diplomatic overture, as Putin seeks to fortify the “no limits” partnership forged with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the face of escalating tensions with the West.
The visit, which comes at the invitation of Xi, will see the two leaders participate in a gala evening commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s recognition of the People’s Republic of China, established by Mao Zedong in 1949. This symbolic gesture is a powerful testament to the enduring bond between the two nations, which have increasingly aligned their interests and world views in recent years.
Putin’s decision to make China the destination for his inaugural foreign trip as he begins his new term is a clear signal of the strategic importance Russia places on its partnership with Beijing. The two leaders, who share a broad perspective that portrays the West as decadent and in decline, are expected to discuss a wide range of issues, including trade, economic cooperation, and pressing international and regional concerns.
The visit comes at a time when the United States has cast China as its biggest competitor and Russia as its greatest nation-state threat. President Joe Biden has consistently framed the 21st century as an existential contest between democracies and autocracies, further fueling tensions between the West and the Russia-China axis.
As the West has sought to isolate Russia through punitive sanctions in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Putin has pivoted decisively toward China, solidifying economic and military ties with the Asian powerhouse. Trade between the two nations hit a record high of $240.1 billion in 2023, a staggering 26.3% increase from the previous year, according to Chinese customs data.
Beijing has also strengthened its trade and military cooperation with Moscow, with Russia becoming China’s top crude oil supplier, accounting for a 24% surge in oil shipments to China in 2023, despite Western sanctions.
During his visit, Putin is expected to meet with Chinese Premier Li Qiang to discuss the multifaceted nature of the Russia-China partnership, covering economic cooperation, trade, and other areas of mutual interest. The Russian leader is also scheduled to visit Harbin, a city with deep historical ties to Russia, further emphasizing the cultural and historical bonds that underpin the relationship between the two nations.
