Key points from Xi-Putin talks: Taiwan, nuclear energy and Trump's 'Golden Dome' project

BEIJING/MOSCOW – Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday praised the progress of their “comprehensive partnership” and criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s Golden Dome project. However, the two leaders did not announce a breakthrough on a major natural gas pipeline between their countries.

Just days after welcoming Trump in Beijing, Xi received Putin with similar pomp: an honor guard, a gun salute at the Great Hall of the People, and children waving Chinese and Russian flags. The leaders are also expected to take part in a traditional tea ceremony.

China-Russia Relations: A Historical Overview

China and Russia share a long, complex history. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, Beijing became an ally and junior partner of the Soviet Union, which then dominated the global Communist hierarchy.

Despite mutual opposition to the West, especially the United States, tensions grew between Moscow and Beijing, culminating in the Sino-Soviet split of 1961. Relations were restored after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Over the past three decades, the balance of power has shifted in China’s favor, as it has emerged as a global economic and technological powerhouse. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has become increasingly dependent on China economically. Today, China is Russia’s largest trading partner, with trade totaling around $240 billion, and the top buyer of Russian crude oil. Meanwhile, Russia ranks as China’s fifth-largest trading partner, after the U.S., Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam.

Trump has previously stated that past U.S. administrations erred by allowing Russia and China to strengthen their ties.

Comparing the Trump and Putin Visits

Hosting both Trump and Putin within a single week highlights the influence of Xi and the rising power of China under his leadership since 2012.

The Kremlin emphasized that the substance of the visits mattered more than ceremonial displays, noting that not all developments are immediately visible.

Trump left China without major breakthroughs on trade or concrete support from Beijing to end the conflict in Iran, despite two days of high praise for Xi.

Following the Xi-Putin meetings, a 9,935-word joint statement covering issues such as nuclear security, Taiwan, and even wildlife like Amur tigers, giant pandas, and golden snub-nosed monkeys, was released alongside a shorter joint declaration.

In addition, 20 documents covering topics from sanitary standards to nuclear energy were signed. Still, no major deals between Russia and China have yet been finalized.

Russia has expressed interest in using Chinese-made chips to power its flagship GigaChat AI model, as Western sanctions continue to restrict access to advanced technology.

Progress on the Planned Russia-China Pipeline

The Kremlin said that a general understanding had been reached with China regarding the Power of Siberia 2 natural gas pipeline. However, key details and a timetable for the massive project remain unresolved.

The pipeline, intended to bring gas from northern Siberia to China via Mongolia, has been under discussion for years. Pricing and other critical issues are still being negotiated.

Criticism of Trump

In a joint declaration, Russia and China condemned attempts by some countries to dominate global affairs in a “colonial-era” manner, warning of a return to the “law of the jungle.”

They also criticized Trump’s Golden Dome missile defense plans, saying they threaten strategic stability. Both nations called out Washington for failing to negotiate a replacement for a landmark nuclear treaty.

-Reporting by Reuters in Moscow, Beijing, and London; writing by Guy Faulconbridge; editing by Philippa Fletcher/Reuters