In a significant diplomatic exchange, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin sent “congratulatory letters” to each other ahead of Putin’s upcoming visit to Beijing. This visit, set to occur just days after former U.S. President Donald Trump’s departure from China following a high-stakes summit, underscores the strong and evolving partnership between China and Russia. Xi highlighted that the bilateral cooperation between the two nations has “continuously deepened and solidified,” marking three decades of their strategic alliance.
The Kremlin announced that Putin would arrive in China on Tuesday evening, with a formal meeting with Xi scheduled for Wednesday morning. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov noted that the discussions would span all aspects of bilateral relations, emphasizing the proposed Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline as a key topic. Analysts have observed the unusual diplomatic sequence, with China hosting both U.S. and Russian leaders in rapid succession, a rarity in the post-Cold War era.
Western nations have expressed concern over China’s strengthened ties with Russia, particularly in light of Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. China’s economic and diplomatic backing is seen as a factor sustaining the ongoing conflict, with the two leaders having met over 40 times, far surpassing Xi’s engagements with Western counterparts. The bilateral trade between China and Russia has reached unprecedented heights, with China accounting for over a quarter of Russia’s exports. Notably, China’s substantial purchases of Russian crude oil have provided Moscow with significant financial resources, reportedly aiding the war effort in Ukraine.
Amid these developments, China’s energy security has been fortified through extensive purchases of Russian fossil fuels, totaling more than $367 billion since the conflict began. This strategy has been particularly crucial given disruptions in the Middle East, which have affected oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. During Trump’s recent visit to Beijing, discussions appeared to center on trade, Taiwan, and Middle Eastern tensions, with little focus on the Ukrainian conflict or Sino-Russian relations. Trump noted China’s alignment with his views on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while Xi cautioned against mishandling the Taiwan issue, which could lead to conflict.
Joseph Webster, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, speculated that Taiwan might be a central theme in the Xi-Putin dialogue. He suggested that Beijing might seek additional fossil fuel agreements with Moscow to secure energy supplies in anticipation of potential future conflicts. Expanding the Russian oil pipeline capacity to China, Webster argued, would significantly bolster Beijing’s energy security in the event of a Taiwan-related contingency. Meanwhile, Russia has been advocating for the progress of the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, which would enhance the energy infrastructure connecting the two countries by adding 50 billion cubic meters of capacity.