war in Iran<\/a> to increase the demand.<\/p>\nIn his meeting with Xi, Putin stressed their countries\u2019 economic ties.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe driving force behind economic cooperation is Russian-Chinese collaboration in the energy sector,\u201d Putin said. \u201cAmid 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Xi stressed the need of \u201ccomplete cessation of hostilities\u201d in the Middle East, according to Chinese state media.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn 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,\u201d Xi said.<\/p>\n
A Russian presidential aide said earlier Russia\u2019s oil exports to China grew by 35% in the first quarter of 2026 and that Russia is one of the biggest exporters of natural gas to China.<\/p>\n
Putin also stressed China and Russia\u2019s cooperation in foreign policy as \u201cone of the key stabilizing factors on the international stage.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cIn the current tense situation on the international stage, our close cooperation is particularly in demand,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
In February 2022, just weeks before Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine, China and Russia announced a \u201cno limits\u201d partnership during a trip by Putin to Beijing.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s weapons industries. <\/p>\n
The two leaders are scheduled to sign cooperation agreements during Putin\u2019s two-day visit.<\/p>\n
But regardless of specific deals, the primary purpose of the visit is to reaffirm the countries\u2019 ties as well as project Beijing\u2019s image as an influential superpower, experts say.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe optics matter,\u201d said Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute at the University of London.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe message is clearly one that China maintains friendship and strategic partnership with whichever power it likes, and the USA is just one of them.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Putin \u201cneeds to tell his countrymen and the world that Russia has China\u2019s support in terms of buying its oil and gas and other tangible and intangible financial support,\u201d Lam said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, for Xi, having both Trump and Putin visit in such close succession is a major source of credit with the country\u2019s top Communist leadership. <\/p>\n
Putin noted earlier this month that Moscow and Beijing have reached \u201ca very substantial step forward in our cooperation in the oil and gas sector.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPractically all the key issues have been agreed upon,\u201d he said. \u201cIf we succeed in finalizing these details and bringing them to a conclusion during this visit, I will be extremely pleased.\u201d<\/p>\n
Putin also praised their bilateral relationship as a crucial, balancing force in international relations.<\/p>\n
\u201cInteraction between such nations as China and Russia undoubtedly serves as a factor of deterrence and stability,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Moscow welcomes China\u2019s dialogue with the U.S. as another stabilizing element for the global economy, Putin added.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe stand only to benefit from this, from the stability and constructive engagement between the U.S. and China,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n
Mistreanu reported from Bangkok.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n
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