- Putin praised the growing ties between Russia and China
- Russian leader arrived with a large delegation comprising senior government officials and business executives
- Putin said Moscow and Beijing were committed to working together on issues concerning sovereignty
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday commenced high-level talks in Beijing, with both leaders pledging deeper cooperation as Moscow seeks stronger economic and energy partnerships amid the prolonged war in Ukraine.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that Putin was received by Xi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, where the two leaders exchanged handshakes before a formal welcome ceremony.
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The event featured a red-carpet reception and the performance of the national anthems of both countries by a military band.
Speaking at the start of the meeting, Putin praised the growing ties between Russia and China, saying bilateral cooperation had remained resilient despite global challenges.
“Even amid unfavourable external conditions, our economic cooperation continues to show strong and positive momentum,” the Russian president said.
The meeting comes as the two countries mark 25 years of diplomatic partnership, with Putin making another visit to China after holding dozens of meetings with Xi over the years.
Reports indicated that the Russian leader arrived with a large delegation comprising senior government officials and business executives.
The Kremlin said both countries are expected to sign about 40 agreements covering sectors including trade, tourism, education and other strategic areas.
Energy security is expected to dominate discussions, especially as Russia seeks alternative markets following the sharp decline in gas exports to Europe since the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict.
In a video message released before the meeting, Putin said Moscow and Beijing were committed to working together on issues concerning sovereignty and national interests.
He added that both nations were expanding cooperation across political, economic and defence sectors, describing their partnership as a stabilising force in global affairs.
“We are not working against any country. Our cooperation is aimed at promoting peace and shared prosperity,” Putin stated.
The talks are also expected to include discussions on developments in the Middle East and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
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