Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to Beijing on Tuesday, describing him as an “old friend” during a high-profile diplomatic visit that signals deepening ties between the two powers. The meeting comes on the eve of a major military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II.

Putin, in turn, praised the relationship between Moscow and Beijing as being at an “unprecedented level,” underscoring a growing strategic alignment that has gained momentum since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The leaders held formal talks at the Great Hall of the People, followed by a more intimate session with top aides over tea.

The visit follows both leaders’ participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, where they joined other regional heads in calling for a shift away from Western-dominated global governance. Putin emphasized the need for a new international system to replace “outdated Eurocentric models,” while Xi urged nations to resist “hegemonism and power politics.”

China and Russia are expected to sign over 20 new agreements during the visit, spanning energy, infrastructure, and technology. Among them is a long-term gas supply deal between Gazprom and China National Petroleum Corporation, which could fuel Chinese demand for the next three decades.

While China maintains a neutral stance on the Ukraine conflict, its continued trade with Russia has provided an economic lifeline amid Western sanctions. The two leaders’ warm rapport—despite global scrutiny—reflects a shared vision for a multipolar world order.

The military parade, set to take place in Tiananmen Square, will showcase China’s latest defense technologies and is expected to draw leaders from several non-Western nations. Notably absent are representatives from the United States and its European allies.

This summit marks a pivotal moment in the evolving geopolitical landscape, with Beijing and Moscow positioning themselves as counterweights to Western influence.

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