Beijing, China — Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin convened in Beijing this week to reinforce their nations' strategic partnership, signing over 40 cooperation agreements spanning trade, technology, and media exchanges. The meeting, which followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent visit to China, underscores the deepening ties between the two countries, particularly in the energy sector.
Xi described the bilateral relationship as having reached 'the highest level in history,' while Putin emphasized that 'Russian-Chinese collaboration in the energy sector' remains the driving force behind their economic cooperation. The leaders also extended a friendship treaty first signed in 2001, signaling their commitment to long-term alignment.
Energy Trade Takes Center Stage
Russia has solidified its position as China’s top oil and gas supplier, with bilateral trade reaching $228 billion in 2025, according to Xinhua news agency. Putin noted that Russia’s oil exports to China grew by 35% in the first quarter of 2026, while Xi highlighted energy trade as a 'stabilizing pillar' of the relationship. Despite the lack of visible progress on the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, both leaders pledged to accelerate cooperation in areas like artificial intelligence and technological innovation.
United Front Against US Influence
The visit comes days after Trump’s trip to Beijing, a sequence experts say reinforces China’s image as a dominant global power. Xi criticized 'unilateralism and hegemonism,' a veiled reference to U.S. actions, while Putin described their foreign policy cooperation as 'one of the key stabilizing factors on the international stage.' The two leaders also condemned the ongoing Middle East conflict, with Xi calling for a 'complete cessation of hostilities' to ensure energy supply stability.
China’s continued trade with Russia, despite Western sanctions, underscores its neutral stance on the Ukraine conflict. Beijing has consistently supported Moscow through joint military drills and the supply of high-tech components for Russian weapons industries. Putin invited Xi to visit Russia in 2027, further cementing their alliance.
'The message is clearly one that China maintains friendship and strategic partnership with whichever power it likes, and the USA is just one of them,' said Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute at the University of London.
The growing Russia-China axis poses a significant challenge to U.S. hegemony, particularly as both nations seek to reshape global economic and geopolitical norms.