Chinese President Xi Jinping is preparing to host Russian President Vladimir Putin for a critical two-day state visit, just days after a high-profile visit from US President Donald Trump. As global markets face ongoing energy crises and trade disputes, Beijing is deliberately positioning itself as a stable global role and a predictable superpower. This marks Putin’s 25th trip to China, a milestone both nations are showcasing as clear evidence of their enduring, “all-weather” strategic partnership despite intense Western pressure.While Western leaders continue to urge China to use its influence to help end the war in Ukraine, experts suggest Beijing is unlikely to alter its stance. Instead, China continues providing Moscow with vital economic assistance, diplomatic support, and dual-use technologies. From Beijing’s perspective, protecting Russia’s political stability remains a core priority, as a weakened Moscow would harm China’s own long-term geopolitical position.A major focus of the upcoming Xi-Putin summit will be deepening energy ties. Russia is heavily leaning into its pivot toward Asia after losing its lucrative European gas markets due to sanctions. Central to these discussions is the stalled Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, an ambitious project designed to transport 50 billion cubic meters of Arctic gas to China annually via Mongolia. While recent energy supply vulnerabilities tied to conflicts in Iran have strengthened Russia’s negotiating position, Beijing is moving cautiously to protect its own energy diversification strategies.Beyond gas infrastructure, China remains the primary buyer of Russian oil, relying on independent refiners who settle transactions using the Chinese yuan. Although Trump’s recent visit to Beijing concluded with agreements aimed at stabilizing global consumer markets, Xi’s immediate embrace of Putin signals that the China-Russia alliance remains the absolute cornerstone of its foreign policy, firmly resisting any Western attempts to drive a wedge between the two powers
