Putin’s China go to defined: Xi Jinping and Putin are not equal companions – BBC Information Chinese language

Putin’s state go to to China this week was a present of fancy. This is a chance for the Russian president to show to the world that he has a strong ally.

Putin is extensively seen as a pariah for ordering the invasion of Ukraine. However for Chinese language President Xi Jinping, Putin is a key companion within the quest for a brand new world order that’s not managed by the USA.

Xi Jinping warmly welcomed his company. A purple carpet was rolled out for company in Tiananmen Sq., a giant band performed songs from the previous Pink Military and cheering kids greeted the 2 leaders. The 2 even shared a short hug for the digicam. Then got here the horrible propaganda from the Chinese language and Russian state media, emphasizing the connection between the 2 leaders.

However in fact, the 2 are not equal companions.

Putin got here to Beijing with nice respect. He desires China to proceed buying and selling with remoted Russia, which is below heavy sanctions. Due to this fact, his phrases are full of candy and easy phrases.

For instance, Putin stated that his household is studying Chinese language, which could be very particular as a result of he hardly ever talks about his kids in public. He additionally known as himself and President Xi “so near brothers” and praised China’s economic system as an entire, saying it was “growing quickly and advancing by leaps and bounds .” The phrases might present some encouragement to officers in Beijing who’re apprehensive about slowing financial progress.

However Xi Jinping himself didn’t repeat these flattering phrases from Putin. As a substitute, Xi Jinping’s rhetoric seemed to be fairly idiosyncratic, even idiosyncratic. He known as Putin a “good good friend and a very good neighbor.” For China, welcoming ceremonies and displaying loyalty is an curiosity, not shocking for the company.

The conflict in Ukraine has remodeled relations between the 2 international locations and uncovered Russia’s army and financial weaknesses. Xi Jinping will notice that he’s now in cost. By launching this assault, Moscow itself was remoted.

China’s relationship with the West could also be strained, however Beijing just isn’t as remoted as Russia, nor does it need to be.

Though public statements might lack enthusiasm, Xi talked about the significance Beijing locations on the connection. He invited Putin to his official residence in Zhongnanhai, a therapy few leaders get. Former US President Barack Obama visited Zhongnanhai in 2014, when relations between the 2 international locations had been at their greatest.

Xi is making an attempt to strike a fragile stability: he desires to take care of an alliance with Putin whereas additionally figuring out {that a} shut relationship with a globally unpopular determine may jeopardize his steady relationship with him the West, which is significant to assist China’s ailing economic system.

In fact, the journey is about cash: Moscow is raring for Beijing to assist its conflict in Ukraine. The form of Putin’s entourage exhibits what he hopes to realize from the journey: He introduced the governor of Russia’s central financial institution, the finance minister and financial advisers to Beijing.

The joint assertion issued by the 2 international locations contained some high-profile concepts to extend commerce – the institution of a port on an island that the 2 international locations have argued over for greater than 100 years (writer’s be aware version: Heixiazi Island), and establishing consensus. with North Korea (North Korea). The phrase “collaboration” was talked about 130 occasions within the assertion.

In fact, the USA retains a detailed eye on all these initiatives.

Final month, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned China to cease Russia’s conflict in Ukraine and requested Beijing to cease buying and selling in components that “might be utilized in Russian drones and tanks.

Due to this fact, Washington won’t miss Putin’s go to to Harbin on Friday (Could 17) to go to the Harbin Institute of Expertise, a completely state-supported college identified for China’s newest protection analysis.

Putin’s go to, with its related ceremonies and symbolism, is a transparent indication of Xi’s dedication to show that he won’t be swayed by Western strain.

However behind this gesture of unity, there are traces that Xi Jinping is unwilling to cross: In spite of everything, China’s pursuits are usually not the identical as Russia’s. Because the energetic companion amongst companions, Xi Jinping can solely select cooperation that fits him, even when his “expensive good friend” and his good friend are in nice want.