WorldRussian President Vladimir Putin praised his close ties with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and said their countries are partners in trade and international affairs as they opened bilateral talks Wednesday on his trip to Beijing.Two leaders highlight their cooperation on energy and other issues in Beijing visitThe Associated Press · Posted: May 20, 2026 4:54 AM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 5 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands during a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday. (Maxim Shemetov/Reuters)Russian President Vladimir Putin praised his close ties with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and said their countries are partners in trade and international affairs as they opened bilateral talks Wednesday on his trip to Beijing.Xi welcomed Putin with a ceremony at the Great Hall of the People only days after meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. The quick succession of Trump's and Putin's visits highlighted Beijing's growing role as an international superpower, experts say.Putin greeted Xi warmly as they met for bilateral talks at the Great Hall of the People."My dear friend," Putin said. "We are truly delighted to see you. We keep in constant touch, both personally and through our aides in the government."Trump leaves Beijing with few wins, but warm words for XiAnalysisFor Putin, Victory Day has been a time for Russia to project strength. This year, it will look weakerXi also stressed the "political mutual trust and strategic cooperation" between the countries, according to Chinese state media. The two leaders have praised each other profusely in the past, with Xi at one point describing Putin as his "best and most intimate friend."Energy purchases top agendaXi and Putin were set to focus on energy and security as well as their overall ties. The two sides agreed to extend a friendship treaty first signed in 2001, Chinese state media reported.Xi and Putin have praised each other profusely in the past, with Xi at one point describing Putin as his "best and most intimate friend." (Maxim Shemetov/Reuters)China became Russia's top trading partner after Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Beijing has said it is neutral in the conflict while maintaining trade ties with the Kremlin despite economic and financial sanctions by the U.S. and Europe.China is the top customer for Russian oil and gas supplies, and Moscow expects the war in Iran to increase the demand.In his meeting with Xi, Putin stressed their countries' economic ties."The driving force behind economic cooperation is Russian-Chinese collaboration in the energy sector," Putin said. "Amid the crisis in the Middle East, Russia continues to maintain its role as a reliable supplier of resources, while China remains a responsible consumer of these resources."Xi stressed the need of "complete cessation of hostilities" in the Middle East, according to Chinese state media."An early end to the conflict will help reduce disruptions to energy supply stability, the smooth flow of industrial and supply chains, and international trade order," Xi said.Russian oil exports to China riseA Russian presidential aide said earlier Russia's oil exports to China grew by 35 per cent in the first quarter of 2026 and that Russia is one of the biggest exporters of natural gas to China.Putin also stressed China and Russia's cooperation in foreign policy as "one of the key stabilizing factors on the international stage." "In the current tense situation on the international stage, our close cooperation is particularly in demand," he said.WATCH | Xi issues Taiwan warning to Trump:Trump hails China trade progress as Xi issues subtle warning on TaiwanMay 14|Duration 2:06U.S. President Donald Trump hailed trade progress with China as he heaped praise on President Xi Jinping, who struck a more reserved tone with a subtle warning that mishandling the Taiwan issue could put the China-U.S. relationship back in peril.In February 2022, just weeks before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, China and Russia announced a "no limits" partnership during a trip by Putin to Beijing.Beijing says it is neutral in the conflict, though in practice it supports Moscow through frequent state visits, growing trade and joint military drills. China has also ignored demands from the West to stop providing high-tech components for Russia's weapons industries. Image-making visitThe two leaders are scheduled to sign cooperation agreements during Putin's two-day visit.But regardless of specific deals, the primary purpose of the visit is to reaffirm the countries' ties as well as project Beijing's image as an influential superpower, experts say."The optics matter," said Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute at the University of London.Trump claims 'fantastic trade deals' with China. What really happened?"The message is clearly one that China maintains friendship and strategic partnership with whichever power it likes, and the USA is just one of them."Putin and Xi both need to use their close ties in order to prop up their images at home, said Willy Lam, a senior China fellow at the Jamestown Foundation.Putin "needs to tell his countrymen and the world that Russia has China's support in terms of buying its oil and gas and other tangible and intangible financial support," Lam said.The primary purpose of Putin's visit to China is to reaffirm the two countries' ties as well as project Beijing's image as an influential superpower, experts say. (Alexander Kazakov/Sputnik/AFP/Getty Images)Meanwhile, for Xi, having both Trump and Putin visit in such close succession is a major source of credit with the country's top Communist leadership. Putin noted earlier this month that Moscow and Beijing have reached "a very substantial step forward in our cooperation in the oil and gas sector.""Practically all the key issues have been agreed upon," he said. "If we succeed in finalizing these details and bringing them to a conclusion during this visit, I will be extremely pleased."Putin also praised their bilateral relationship as a crucial, balancing force in international relations."Interaction between such nations as China and Russia undoubtedly serves as a factor of deterrence and stability," he said.