An example to maintain: Putin and Xi called the relations between Russia and China a model for other countries

The results of the talks in Beijing confirmed the highest level and mutual benefit of cooperation between Russia and China. The Russian Federation will ensure uninterrupted oil and gas supplies to China. In the context of the crisis in the Middle East, the country still retains its role as a reliable exporter of resources, Vladimir Putin said. Today, it is important for countries to further strengthen political cooperation in order to remain a strategic stronghold for each other, Xi Jinping added. There are virtually no industries between Moscow and Beijing where cooperation would not develop. The main indicator is about 40 agreements based on the results of negotiations. Two key documents were signed personally by the leaders of the states, consolidating common views on the new world order. What is worth paying special attention to on this trip of the president is in the Izvestia article.

Anniversary meeting in Beijing

On May 20, Vladimir Putin officially completed his visit to Beijing: in fact, in one day, the president managed to hold full-fledged negotiations, several separate meetings, as well as sign a number of agreements and launch new projects.

The busy program began with the solemn ceremony of the meeting of the heads of the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China, which traditionally remains the most colorful spectacle and the reason for the violent reaction of the Western media. A guard of honor, a presidential orchestra, and a red carpet were waiting for Vladimir Putin at the central square of China, Tiananmen. And time after time, the Chinese side surprises its guests — now the Russian delegation was greeted with solemn cannon volleys. In addition to the anthems of the Russian Federation and China, the orchestra performed, as local journalists told Izvestia, one of the most beloved Russian songs among their people — "Moscow Evenings". But the surprises did not end there either: the PRC has once again returned to its warmest, one might say, the highest form of greeting distinguished guests. Young schoolchildren who greeted the heads of state were invited to the ceremony.

This visit is taking place in an anniversary year for Russian-Chinese relations: 25 years ago, the most important interstate agreement was signed — on good neighborliness, friendship and cooperation.

— And thus, a solid foundation was laid for the comprehensive development of a comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation between our two countries. And now Russian-Chinese relations have reached a truly unprecedented level. At the same time, our relations are self—sufficient, independent of the current global situation and serve as a model of how to build relations between countries and peoples," Vladimir Putin said at the expanded talks.

Xi Jinping agreed with this. According to him, Russia and China today must further strengthen political cooperation in order to remain a strategic stronghold for each other. And everything is coming to this: today's visit of the President of the Russian Federation is the 25th anniversary. Moreover, Putin visits not only the capital, but also Shanghai, Tianjin, Qingdao, Harbin.

In a couple of months, in September, Putin and Xi will see each other again — at the BRICS and SCO summits in New Delhi and Bishkek, respectively. And the next point is APEC in Shenzhen, China, which will bring together many world leaders. Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov even allowed Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump to meet there, who left Beijing just a few days before the arrival of the Russian delegation.

Priorities of Moscow and Beijing

Moscow has brought almost the entire political establishment to Beijing. There were almost three times as many Russian politicians, public figures and businessmen as Chinese colleagues at the meetings: the Cabinet of Ministers, representatives of the Presidential Administration, big business and even heads of universities arrived.

The negotiations lasted more than three hours: in a narrow format and in an expanded format. The result is more than 40 signed documents. From an agreement on the construction of a railway to a memorandum in the field of cinematography. The National Media Group was also among those who managed to conclude a series of agreements. In particular, about joining the information project "One Belt, One Road" of China, an international network of media cooperation, as well as cooperation with leading Chinese media structures — China Daily, Media Corporation of China (CMG) and Xinhua.

"We are signing an agreement to expand cooperation, focusing, among other things, on technological innovations and the expansion of not only news exchange, the creation of joint content, but also technological development and the exchange of technological developments in the media industry that we have," Svetlana Balanova, CEO of NMG, told Izvestia.

In general, Russia and China have close cooperation in almost all areas. The trade turnover has exceeded a solid $200 billion for the past year. Energy remains the driving force here, as Russia is one of the main exporters of energy resources to China, which retains its role as a reliable supplier.

In the context of the crisis in the Middle East, Russia is ready to continue providing supplies to the fast-growing Chinese market of oil, gas, and LNG, Vladimir Putin promised. In four months of 2026, Russia has already increased oil supplies to China by 10%. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak noted that even unfriendly countries are lifting restrictions, unable to do without Russian fuel. Work is also underway on contracts within the framework of the promising Power of Siberia — 2 gas project, however, it remains to specify some nuances.

— Against the background of the Iranian crisis and the general tension in the Persian Gulf, the stable flow of Russian energy resources has become even more valuable for China in terms of diversification and sustainability of energy supply. But the relationship isn't just about emergency supplies. Beijing and Moscow are deepening a broader energy partnership covering oil, gas, pipelines, LNG, nuclear energy, electricity and payment mechanisms," Valdai Club expert Hao Nan told Izvestia.

Humanitarian cooperation, especially education, occupies a huge part. On the same day, the leaders declared 2026-2027 the cross years of Russian-Chinese cooperation. Their goal is to develop higher, secondary vocational and school education, as well as popularize the Russian language in China and Chinese in Russia. Education in the Russian Federation is highly valued in the Chinese market: Vladimir Putin met with one of these graduates in the midst of a busy schedule. Peng Pai, an engineer who graduated from Moscow MADI, met the Russian president in Beijing's Beihai Park back in 2000, when he was just a child.

— It is also a big surprise for me that after 26 years I was able to see you again. And it seems to me that I have some kind of mythical state right now and a more fantastic state than in any sci-fi movie. I grew up in China, but a very important part of my life was spent in Russia, and I can say that Moscow is my second home," Peng Pai said.

Russian culture really attracts the Chinese: journalists who arrived with Putin were recognized on the streets, tried to communicate and ask about Moscow. By the way, the visa-free regime between Russia and China, which was agreed upon at previous negotiations, contributes to the interest of Chinese citizens. On September 15, 2025, the republic introduced visa-free entry for Russians for a year. Now it has been decided to extend it until the end of 2027. Moscow will respond in kind.

What is tea diplomacy and why is it so relevant?

The key documents following the negotiations were signed personally by the leaders. First of all, this is a 47-page joint statement by Russia and China on further strengthening comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation. In particular, Moscow and Beijing confirmed the need to resolve the Ukrainian conflict through dialogue and opposed forceful pressure and the creation of security threats to the DPRK. And the US and Israeli military strikes on Iran are officially recorded as a violation of international law and undermining stability in the Middle East.

An equally important document was the Declaration on the Formation of a Multipolar World, in which Russia and China openly opposed the hegemony and attempts by individual states to single—handedly manage world affairs. Moscow and Beijing said that previous attempts to impose the interests of individual countries on the world "in the spirit of the era of colonialism" had failed. Xi Jinping warned of the risk of a "return to the law of the jungle." And here the "Russian-Chinese strategic link" plays a stabilizing role, Vladimir Putin said.

These statements do not leave the pages of the world's media, whose attention is focused on the words and actions of Vladimir Putin. The press continues to actively link the visits of the Russian and American delegations. For example, the British The Guardian and the French Le Figaro scrupulously examine the details of the techniques, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal talk about the importance of China for Russia in the context of the Ukrainian conflict and the role of the United States here. Al Jazeera analyzes the position of Russia and China in the new world order. Meanwhile, Reuters and The Times of India are more focused on the meeting between Putin and Xi in the format of "tea diplomacy." And for good reason, because for China it has long become a symbol of trusting dialogue — this is such a feature of the Chinese mentality, explained Tatiana Kosacheva, an expert on Asian countries. The Kremlin has also repeatedly called this tea party "the most important part of the visit."

— The tea ceremony dictates its own rhythm — slow and measured. This allows leaders to "slow down", think about what they have said and avoid impulsive decisions. The calmness during the tea party conveys the confidence of the leaders in their positions and in the stability of relations between the countries. It is also a confirmation that relations between the Russian Federation and China have gone beyond purely business interaction and moved into the plane of deep cultural and personal trust, demonstrating the "Eastern style" of doing business through patience, wisdom and slowness, as opposed to the Western style of "quick deals," the expert told Izvestia.

The open part of the meeting, that is, for journalists, was very modest — the leaders only summed up the results and thanked each other for fruitful work. However, all the most important things, including the most complex international issues, were discussed without unnecessary fuss, as always.