Xi welcomes ‘old friend’ Putin in Beijing amid Western tensions

Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin as an “old friend” during their meetings in Beijing, where both leaders described relations between their countries as at an “unprecedented level”, Al Jazeera reported via Reuters on September 2.

Across the international community, the visit is seen as a show of defiance toward Western powers. Both China and Russia share grievances with the United States over the war in Ukraine and Donald Trump’s tariff policies, while the remarks come amid heightened tensions in the conflict and rising concern over European security.

During the talks, Putin called Xi a “dear friend” and praised the close partnership between Moscow and Beijing. Reuters also reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed claims that Moscow had opposed Ukraine’s membership in the European Union, but insisted that it cannot become a member of NATO.

Despite Russia’s recent daylight strikes on Kyiv, Putin denied reports that Moscow was planning to attack Europe. Instead, he accused Western powers of spreading ‘horror stories’ and ‘hysteria’ following growing worries of an attack.

On September 1, United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent explained that “all options are on the table”, as Russia continues to intensify its bombing campaign. He stated that Putin was breaking commitments he made at the Alaska summit with Trump.

The Russian and Chinese leaders’ talks followed their participation in a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in the nearby city of Tianjin. Moscow and Beijing have promoted the SCO as an alternative to Western alliances.

Putin said the world requires a “system that would replace outdated Eurocentric and Euro-Atlantic models.”

The partnership between China and Russia has deepened in recent years, particularly since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. While Beijing maintains it is neutral in the conflict, it has continued to trade with Moscow despite Western sanctions.

Their meeting also coincides with preparations for a large military parade in Beijing marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II. Around two dozen world leaders are expected to attend, including North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, who has already crossed into China, according to state media in Pyongyang, as well as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Al Jazeera via Reuters, The Daily Mail, Reuters, Fox News, Maghrebi.org