Chinese President Xi Jinping has described China-Russia relations as a force of “calm amid chaos” during talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing on Wednesday, May 20, as global tensions continue to rise following conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. As per the CNN report, the meeting took place in the Great Hall of the People, marking the start of Putin’s roughly 24-hour state visit to China.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. It comes just days after Xi hosted US President Donald Trump for a high-profile summit, underscoring Beijing’s increasingly central diplomatic role between global rivals. Outside the Great Hall, Xi and senior Chinese officials greeted Putin with full state honors, including a military band, honor guard, and ceremonial gun salute. Children waving flags and flowers accompanied the welcome, echoing similar scenes during Trump’s recent visit. Xi used the opening of the talks to criticize the broader international environment, saying it was marked by “intertwined turbulence and transformation” and accusing unnamed powers of “unilateral hegemonic” behavior. In a veiled reference to the United States, Xi said such conditions required China and Russia to strengthen their “comprehensive strategic coordination,” according to Chinese state media. The Chinese leader also addressed the ongoing war in the Middle East, saying an “early end” to hostilities would help stabilize global energy supplies and trade flows.