Now it’s Vladimir Putin’s turn to visit Beijing
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.There was a telling moment on the second day of Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing. America’s president was strolling with Xi Jinping through the gardens of Zhongnanhai, the Chinese leadership compound, on May 15th.
Mr Trump stopped to ask China’s president if he often brought foreign leaders there. “Very rarely,” said Mr Xi, shaking his head for emphasis.
“For example, Putin has been here,” he added, with a chuckle. Less than 24 hours later came the announcement that Vladimir Putin, Russia’s leader, would follow in Mr Trump’s footsteps with a visit to Beijing on May 19th and 20th.The timing of Mr Putin’s visit sends an unmistakable signal.
Mr Xi is making it clear that even if he can stabilise relations with America, that will not come at the expense of his “no limits” partnership with Mr Putin. Some of Mr Trump’s advisers support rebuilding ties with the Kremlin as a way to weaken and isolate China, in what they call a “reverse Nixon” strategy.
In fact, the economic and military ties between Russia and China could grow deeper yet as a consequence of America’s war in the Middle East.Catch all the Business News, Market News, Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
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