Xi and Putin Signal United Front Against US in Beijing Summit
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Beijing on Wednesday, signaling a united front against the United States and warning against global return to the 'law of the jungle.' The summit came just days after Trump's visit and focused on energy cooperation and strategic alignment.
Russia-China Alliance Strengthens
Chinese leader Xi Jinping and visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin signalled a united front against Washington during a summit in Beijing, warning against a global return to the "law of the jungle".
Defense and Strategic Concerns
In a joint statement, China and Russia took aim at US President Donald Trump's plans for a $175bn "Golden Dome" defence system, which would create a new missile field in the Midwest. The duo also criticised the expiry of the last US-Russia arms control treaty, which fell to the wayside in February when Trump failed to respond to Moscow's proposal to extend it by a year.
Energy Cooperation
Among the chief topics of discussion was the energy sector, which Putin called the "driving force of economic cooperation" in Russian-Chinese relations. The two sides agreed to extend a friendship treaty first signed in 2001, Chinese state media reported.
Diplomatic Significance
The quick succession of Trump's and Putin's visits highlighted Beijing's growing role as an international superpower, experts say.