Xi Jinping prepares to welcome Putin to China four days after hosting Trump
Chinese state media say Beijing is emerging as the 'focal point of global diplomacy' with the Russian leader arriving on Tuesday.
TL;DR
- Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin exchanged congratulatory letters ahead of Putin's visit to Beijing.
- The visits of Trump and Putin highlight Beijing's emergence as a focal point of global diplomacy.
- China's economic and diplomatic support for Russia since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine has sustained the conflict.
- Bilateral trade between China and Russia has reached record levels, with China purchasing over a quarter of Russian exports, including significant amounts of fossil fuels.
- The US-China talks focused on trade, Taiwan, and the Middle East, with little mention of Ukraine.
- Taiwan was a key point in Xi's discussions with Trump, who is yet to decide on a US weapons sale to the island.
- Analysts suggest that China may be seeking further fossil fuel deals with Russia to secure energy supplies in case of future conflicts, especially concerning Taiwan.