Putin in China to Meet 'Dear Friend' Xi
Russia's President Vladimir Putin (2nd R) arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport to attend the Third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing on October 17, 2023. Photo by Parker Song / POOL / AFP
- By Agence France-Presse (AFP)
- October 17, 2023 11:03 AM
Beijing, China — Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in China on Tuesday to meet his "dear friend" Xi Jinping and bolster their relationship at a summit that will be overshadowed by the Israel-Hamas war.
At the top of the guest list is Putin, who is on his first trip to a major global power since the Ukraine invasion threw his regime into international isolation.
"During the talks, special attention will be paid to international and regional issues," the Kremlin said in a statement, without elaborating.
The United States has asked China to use its influence to help de-escalate the war, which has seen more than a million people in the blockaded Gaza Strip flee their homes under the relentless bombardment that Israel launched in retaliation for the attack.
No details have been given about where or when exactly Zhai would travel, though China's state broadcaster CCTV has said he will push for a ceasefire and peace talks.
In Beijing, Putin is on a mission to strengthen the already strong bond with his communist neighbour, though experts say Moscow is increasingly the junior partner in the relationship.
Beijing has drawn criticism from Western countries for its stance on the Ukraine war, on which China insists it is neutral even as it refuses to criticise Moscow for launching its invasion.
"Russia is aware that China doesn't want to sign any high publicity deals," Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, told AFP.
"China holds all of the cards," he said.
- Friends reunited -
Xi kicked off the summit Tuesday with talks with Chilean and Kazakhstan Presidents Gabriel Boric and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Chinese state media reported.
Ahead of the forum, China and Russia's top diplomats were singing from the same song sheet when they met in Beijing on Monday.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov thanked China for inviting Putin as the summit's "chief guest", according to a readout from Moscow, which later said the top diplomat would head to North Korea after Beijing.
Putin and Xi will discuss the countries' ties "in their entirety" when they meet this week, Lavrov told Wang.
Wang, in turn, said China "appreciates" Russia's support for the BRI.
