China and Russia projected deeper strategic unity in Beijing as Putin and Xi discussed BRICS expansion, global tensions and the future balance of world power.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping during talks in Beijing as both leaders called for stronger coordination against global “hegemonism”. | X/@mfa_russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday projected a united front against what they described as “hegemonism” and unilateral global dominance, as both leaders pushed for a stronger multipolar world order during high-level talks in Beijing.
The summit, held amid widening geopolitical tensions and shifting global alliances, also carried strategic significance as it came just days after US President Donald Trump visited the Chinese capital. Against that backdrop, Moscow and Beijing used the meeting to underline the growing depth of their partnership and signal closer coordination on global affairs.
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Speaking during the talks, Putin said ties between Russia and China had expanded significantly over the last 25 years and now represented a mature model of interstate cooperation.
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“Russia-China cooperation has expanded greatly over 25 years. Our two countries maintain close contacts and actively work on mutual projects and initiatives,” Putin said, according to Sputnik.
He added that the partnership was aimed at ensuring the “well-being and prosperity of the Russian and Chinese peoples”.
🇷🇺🇨🇳 President of Russiq Vladimir Putin and President of China Xi Jinping ahead of bilateral talks
📍 Beijing, May 20, 2026#RussiaChina
📹 © https://t.co/1iwVtSG6SN pic.twitter.com/PoTkTJCGKH
— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) May 20, 2026
Xi echoed the Russian leader’s remarks and called for deeper strategic coordination between the two countries at a time when, he said, the world was witnessing rising unilateralism and hegemonism.
According to Xinhua, Xi also agreed to extend the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation, describing the agreement as vital for long-term stability between the two nations.
“Today, the international landscape is undergoing momentous changes, and the world risks returning to the law of the jungle,” Xi said.
“As permanent members of the UN Security Council and important major countries in the world, China and Russia should take a strategic and long-term perspective… and work to make the global governance system more just and reasonable,” he added.
The two leaders also reviewed expanding cooperation across economic, political and regional security sectors as part of a broader effort to deepen bilateral engagement.
The meeting also highlighted the growing importance of the BRICS grouping, which Russia and China have increasingly positioned as an alternative power centre in global politics.
The bloc, which includes India among its founding members, now accounts for more than half of the world’s population and around 40 per cent of global GDP.
Apart from bilateral issues, the leaders discussed tensions in West Asia. Xi warned that the Gulf region stood at a critical moment between war and peace and called for an immediate halt to hostilities.
He urged countries to prioritise diplomacy and political dialogue over military escalation.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Putin’s current trip marks his 25th official visit to China. He also highlighted the close working relationship between the two leaders, who have met multiple times since Xi took office in 2012 and often refer to each other as “dear friends”.
The visit is expected to continue with detailed discussions on trade cooperation, regional security and long-term strategic coordination between Beijing and Moscow.
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