Xi and Putin tout ‘new type’ of world order in Beijing – but is their alliance really that strong?
Xi and Putin tout ‘new type’ of world order in Beijing – but is their alliance really that strong?
Publish Date: 2026-05-20 11:51:00
Source Domain: theconversation.com
- China’s leader Xi Jinping welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to Beijing, marking the later’s 25th visit and underscoring the frequency of Sino-Russian meetings and their expanding shared interests.
- Xi and Putin signed various documents during their meeting, focusing on areas such as energy, higher education, and media, despite their rhetoric in favour of building a multipolar world order.
- The foundation of Sino-Russian cooperation is formed by their mutual opposition to US global primacy, although they have primarily focused on blocking US initiatives rather than launching a major joint effort to challenge US power themselves.
- Russia lacks the ability to support China’s economic, technological, and commercial needs, particularly in facing US tariffs and export controls, making China the dominant player in their partnership.
- China has provided extensive support to Moscow in terms of political, financial, and economic backing, but remains selective, for instance, by refraining from providing lethal weapons and delaying the Power of Siberia-2 gas pipeline project.
- Despite China’s efforts to maintain a facade of equality, Russia’s leadership appears to accept its position as a “junior partner,” and Moscow is cautious of China’s dominance in East Asia and the Indo-Pacific.
- Both nations are wary of each other; Russia fears Chinese economic dominance and has imprisoned scientists accused of spying for China, while China treads carefully to avoid antagonizing Russia, despite its growing assertiveness.
