Xi Jinping and Putin's Strategic Meeting in Beijing amidst Global Turmoil

Chinese leader Xi Jinping is set to welcome Vladimir Putin to China on Thursday for the Russian president’s second visit in less than a year. This visit highlights their growing alignment amid global conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.

Putin's visit comes just over a week after starting a new term in office, extending his autocratic rule until 2030. This extension was the result of an election without any true opposition.

Xi's visit, scheduled for May 16-17, is reported by Chinese state media. This visit is reminiscent of Xi's own state visit to Moscow just over a year ago, where he started a new term as president, following Putin's lead in changing the rules on presidential term limits.

The upcoming meeting between Xi and Putin is taking place ahead of the American presidential elections and at a time when Washington is facing international criticism for its support of Israel's actions in Gaza. This meeting will provide an opportunity for the leaders to discuss how they can work together to challenge and provide an alternative to American influence.

The visit of the two leaders, Putin and Xi, also highlights the increasing coordination of interests between Iran and North Korea, both known for their anti-American stance. Western governments believe that Pyongyang, heavily reliant on China economically, is providing war supplies to Russia. Similarly, Tehran, supported economically by Russia and China, plays a significant role in the conflicts in the Middle East.

Putin's arrival for the two-day state visit is strengthened by the resilience of his economy during wartime and amidst a new offensive in Ukraine. On the other hand, Xi, who just returned from a European tour, sees this visit as an opportunity to demonstrate his continued allegiance to Putin without compromising his ability to engage with the West.

The strong support shown by some countries for China may not reflect the full complexity of the situation.

Beijing is facing increasing pressure from the United States regarding its suspected backing of Russia's defense sector. Meanwhile, Xi Jinping is dealing with strained relations in France, though he received a warm reception in Serbia and Hungary. Despite this, China's close ally, Russia, finds itself increasingly isolated on the global scale.

Xi is urging Europe and other countries to assist in preventing a potential "Cold War" and to resist US attempts to contain China. However, experts believe that China, in need of technology and investment from the West, is strengthening relationships that could further divide the global community. This is evident as Xi hosts Putin this week, highlighting the growing rift between China and the West.

"We are facing a more dangerous world where authoritarian powers are joining forces. Recently, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg cautioned that Russia is gaining support for its aggressive actions from China, Iran, and North Korea.

Stoltenberg emphasized the importance of understanding that security is not just a regional issue but a global one. He stressed the need for collaboration with like-minded partners worldwide to safeguard transatlantic security."

'Grand strategy'

Xi's upcoming meeting with Putin is overshadowed by Western warnings of potential consequences if China keeps sending specific goods to Russia. According to the US government, these dual-use exports are helping Russia strengthen its defense sector.

According to Li Mingjiang, an associate professor of international relations at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, the pressures facing China now are arguably greater than in the past two years. This is due to recent sanctions imposed by the US on Chinese firms, with the possibility of more sanctions coming from the EU.

China has stated that it keeps a close watch on the export of dual-use goods and maintains that its trade with Russia is within the bounds of normal bilateral exchange.

Observers of Xi's decision-making are unsure if he will discuss a resolution to the conflict with Putin this week. China's trade data in March and April revealed a decrease in exports to Russia, suggesting measures to safeguard against Western sanctions impacting its economy.

Any adjustment in this aspect is not expected to prevent the deepening of collaboration between the two countries. Russia and China engage in regular military exercises and diplomatic interactions, and this partnership is likely to continue to strengthen. Analysts believe that China's stance on Russia's war is unlikely to change.

According to Manoj Kewalramani, who leads Indo-Pacific studies at the Takshashila Institution in Bangalore, Russia plays a crucial role in China's overall strategy. While Beijing aims to avoid any escalation, there is a significant interest in ensuring that Russia does not suffer defeat in the conflict.

Editor's P/S:

The growing alignment between China and Russia amid global conflicts raises concerns about a potential challenge to American influence. Putin's visit to China, following Xi's own state visit to Moscow last year, underscores their shared anti-American stance and coordination with Iran and North Korea. This meeting provides an opportunity for the leaders to discuss strategies to counter US dominance.

However, China faces pressure from the United States regarding its suspected backing of Russia's defense sector. Xi may need to balance his support for Putin with the need to maintain ties with the West, which is crucial for China's economic and technological growth. Despite Western warnings of consequences, China maintains that its trade with Russia is within normal bilateral exchange. Nonetheless, analysts believe that the partnership between Russia and China will continue to deepen, with Russia playing a significant role in China's overall strategy.