What really holds China and Russia together
The trip underscores a partnership driven by trade, sanctions and shared opposition to a US-led world order, analysts said.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin returns to Beijing this week, marking the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation between Russia and China. Unlike President Donald Trump's elaborate visit last week with gold tableware and temple tours, Putin's trip remains notably low-key.
- Western sanctions have pushed Moscow toward deeper trade engagement with Beijing over recent years. Tech giant Huawei, forced out of British 5G networks by Western review, capitalized on absent competitors to become a central pillar of Russia's telecommunications industry.
- Russia comprises just 4% of China's international trade, yet analysts stress "Russia is fully in China's pocket, and China can dictate the terms." Gazprom and the China National Petroleum Corporation reportedly signed a preliminary deal for the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline via Mongolia.
- Both nations share a 4,300km border and opposition to the US-led world order. Unlike Western nations that sanction based on values, Russia and China do not pass judgment on each other's actions, reinforcing partnership resilience.
- Describing their ties as a "friendship with no limits," Putin and Xi Jinping have remained in power for a combined 39 years with no signs of stepping down. Their flexible strategic partnership defies Western predictions of collapse, anchored in shared interests rather than formal alliance.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Putin: We will continue to do everything possible to deepen Russia-China partnership
"I am confident that together we will continue to do everything possible to deepen Russia-China partnership and good-neighborliness for our two countries' dynamic development and for the well-being of our peoples, in the interests of maintaining global
China in a stronger position with US and Russia "embroiled in wars they started"
Going into talks with China, Russia says it has "high expectations for the trip", with the two countries working to deepen what the Kremlin describes as a "privileged partnership". The ties between Putin and XI have developed since the start of the Ukraine invasion, especially considering Russia has been cut off the world stage. FRANCE 24's Philip Turle looks at how much the transactional side of the partnership.
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