Russian President Vladimir Putin has begun a rare four-day visit to China, underscoring Moscow’s growing reliance on Beijing as the two countries seek to counter Western influence on global affairs.
He landed in the northern port city of Tianjin on Thursday to a red-carpet welcome, where senior Chinese officials greeted him ahead of a major regional security gathering.
The warm reception reflects what both sides describe as their “unprecedented partnership” at a time of heightened tensions with the West.
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said relations between Beijing and Moscow had reached their “highest level in history,” calling them among the “most stable and strategically significant” of any major powers. Putin’s trip marks his first visit to China since he secured another presidential term earlier this year.
The Russian leader will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, where about 20 leaders from Asia and the Middle East are expected.
President Xi Jinping will host the meeting, which China has framed as an example of how global cooperation can move beyond Western-led structures.
The SCO, established in 2001, has steadily expanded its membership to 10 full members, including India, Pakistan and Iran, along with 16 observer and dialogue partners. While originally focused on regional security, it has increasingly positioned itself as a forum for challenging Western dominance in global politics and economics.
For Putin, the summit provides an important stage to show Russia is far from isolated, despite Western sanctions over its war in Ukraine.
Beijing has been a crucial economic lifeline for Moscow, with trade between the two countries hitting record highs in recent years, driven largely by Russian energy exports.
On the eve of his visit, Putin gave a written interview to China’s Xinhua news agency, sharply criticising what he called “discriminatory sanctions” imposed by the West.
He argued that both Moscow and Beijing share a vision of a more balanced world order where no single power dominates.
Xi is expected to use the summit to present his vision of a multipolar global system, one that reduces reliance on Western institutions and highlights cooperation among Asian and Middle Eastern powers.
Analysts say the gathering will allow China to showcase itself as a diplomatic heavyweight and Russia as a key partner in that vision.
Despite their closeness, differences remain. China has not formally endorsed Russia’s war in Ukraine and continues to walk a careful line, seeking to avoid direct Western sanctions while maintaining strong ties with Moscow. Still, both governments have found common ground in pushing back against U.S. influence.
Western governments are likely to watch the summit closely, particularly as it brings together countries that are often critical of U.S. foreign policy. While the SCO is not a military alliance, it has been steadily expanding cooperation on security issues, raising concerns in Washington and European capitals.
The visit is also a signal to domestic audiences. For Putin, it reinforces the image of Russia as part of a powerful coalition that resists Western pressure.
For Xi, it highlights his ability to convene leaders from across Asia and beyond at a time when global power balances are shifting.
Observers note that the four-day length of Putin’s trip is unusually long, suggesting the Russian leader intends to deepen not just political ties but also economic and cultural engagement with China.
Energy, trade routes, and regional security are expected to feature heavily in bilateral discussions.
While no major breakthroughs are anticipated, the summit is likely to produce statements reaffirming the two countries’ opposition to Western sanctions and their commitment to strengthening trade and security cooperation.
The meetings come as both Russia and China face growing friction with the United States, making the partnership increasingly valuable to both sides. For now, the SCO summit offers a symbolic platform for them to present an alternative vision of world order.
