BEIJING, CHINA May 20, 2026 — Chinese President Xi Jinping held a grand military welcome ceremony today at the Great Hall of the People for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who arrived for a two-day state visit marking the 25th anniversary of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation.
The elaborate event featured honor guards in crisp uniforms, military bands playing national anthems, artillery salutes, and children waving Chinese and Russian flags as the two leaders inspected troops along a red carpet. Official footage shared by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning showcased the pomp, with rows of soldiers, fluttering national flags, and a formal lineup of dignitaries on the steps of the iconic building.
Putin’s visit comes just days after U.S. President Donald Trump’s state visit to Beijing earlier this month, highlighting China’s role as a key diplomatic hub amid global tensions. State media described Beijing as an emerging “focal point of global diplomacy.”
During the ceremony and subsequent talks, Xi and Putin are expected to discuss deepening bilateral ties in trade, energy, technology, and a shared vision for a multipolar world order. The two leaders previously exchanged congratulatory letters ahead of the summit. Key agenda items include progress on the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline and other energy projects, with bilateral trade already exceeding $200 billion annually in rubles and yuan.
“This partnership serves as a force of calm amid chaos,” sources close to the talks indicated, with Xi hailing the “unyielding” nature of China-Russia relations.
The visit underscores the enduring strategic alignment between Moscow and Beijing, forged since the 2001 treaty. No major new deals were immediately announced, but officials anticipate around 20-40 agreements on practical cooperation.
The event drew mixed international reactions, with supporters praising strengthened ties between the two powers and critics raising concerns over geopolitical implications. Putin’s trip is his 25th to China as president.
As global attention focuses on great-power diplomacy, today’s ceremony reinforces the close coordination between China and Russia on the international stage. Further details on outcomes are expected as the summit continues.
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