Putin and Xi Jinping Are Engaging in a Meeting Characterised by 'superficial Cooperation and Inner Calculations'

On the afternoon of May 16, 2024, Putin (front left) attended a concert in Beijing commemorating the 75th anniversary of China-Russia (Soviet) diplomatic relations. His gaze was unfocused on the performance, appearing deep in thought. Putin&9;s body also leaned slightly away from Xi Jinping (front right, second from the right).

[People News] On the 20th, Russian President Vladimir Putin and General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Xi Jinping met in Beijing, coinciding with the renewed threat of conflict between the U.S. and Iran, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and trade and energy supply tensions that directly impact the interests of both nations. Xi and Putin asserted that despite the complex international landscape, the relationship between their countries remains robust. Following their discussions, the two leaders signed a joint statement along with multiple cooperation documents, totalling 42 agreements. Putin also noted that Russia and China are coordinating the conversion of trade currencies to rubles and renminbi, with nearly all trade transactions between the two nations being settled in these currencies.

During the discussions, Putin referenced a Chinese proverb, stating, "This is an appropriate moment to quote a Chinese saying, as it is commonly said in China, 'A day apart is like three autumns.'" This remark underscores the strong friendship with an old ally and commends the Russia-China relationship, which has reached unprecedented heights.

As reported by TASS, Putin has extended an invitation to Xi Jinping to visit Russia next year and confirmed his attendance at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled to take place in China (the People's Republic of China) this November. The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Wang Wenbin (Guo Jiakun), noted during a routine press conference on the 20th that the People's Republic of China will extend its visa-free policy for Russia until December 31, 2027.

Putin received a grand welcome this time; in contrast to Trump's reception, which was handled by Vice President Han Zheng, Putin was greeted by Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Putin descended the gangway, which was covered, while Trump had no cover over his head.

Since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war, economic ties between the People's Republic of China and Russia have significantly strengthened. According to data from the customs of the People's Republic of China, Russian imports are projected to account for only about 5% of China's total imports by 2025. Conversely, TASS statistics indicate that by 2025, China will represent over one-third of Russia's total imports and more than one-quarter of its total exports. Analysts highlight that due to the severe repercussions of the four-year-long Ukraine war, Russia's reliance on the People's Republic of China is considerably greater than the latter's reliance on Russia.

The recent meeting between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the 'strategic cooperative partnership' between the Chinese Communist Party and Russia, as well as the 25th anniversary of the signing of the 'Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation' by Putin and former General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, Jiang Zemin. Under this treaty, Jiang Zemin agreed to cede over 600,000 square kilometres of the 'Outer Xing'an Region' located south of the Outer Xing'an Mountains and north of the Heilongjiang River, along with 400,000 square kilometres of the 'Wudong Region' east of the Ussuri River, as well as territories such as the Tannu Uriankhai region and the Kuril Islands to Russia. These ceded territories are roughly equivalent to the combined area of the three northeastern provinces or several times the size of Taiwan. During this meeting, media outlets from both countries reported that Xi Jinping and Putin have agreed to extend the 'Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation' between China and Russia.

However, analysts suggest that behind these close ties, Putin is seeking assurances from Xi Jinping that the recent signs of easing tensions between China and the United States following the Xi-Biden meeting will not come at the expense of Russian interests. Both China and Russia have characterised this summit as a testament to the resilience of their long-term relationship in the face of international turmoil.

According to the British "Financial Times," several sources familiar with the Xi-Trump meeting disclosed that during a comprehensive discussion on the Ukraine issue last week, Xi Jinping told Trump that Putin might eventually regret his decision to invade Ukraine. Analysts suggest that Xi's statement about Putin's potential regret serves as a warning to the Chinese Communist Party regarding its intentions to use military force against Taiwan.

In light of such intricate calculations among major powers, some netizens noted that during Putin's previous visit to Beijing for a military parade, Xi Jinping remarked that with advancements in technology, humans could live up to 150 years in this century, implying that 70 years old is still quite young. Putin replied that organ transplants could facilitate such longevity. This raises the question of what further news, potentially contrary to natural law and morality, they might disclose this time. Such rebellious and morally questionable ideas stem from selfish and utilitarian desires. What benefits can cooperation based on such a mindset bring to its own citizens?

Additionally, some netizens speculated that Putin might be thinking that Trump is the adversary of Xi Jinping's close friends and partners, Maduro and Khamenei. Xi Jinping extended a highly prestigious welcome to Trump, seeking profit from friendships, and did not even make a request on behalf of Maduro and Iran, while Trump could advocate for someone entirely unrelated to him, like Jimmy Lai. Can someone like Xi Jinping genuinely engage in sincere cooperation? △