Putin visits China as bilateral trade hits record $227.9B

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in China on May 19 for a two-day visit that comes less than a week after US President Donald Trump's diplomatic trip to Beijing, with both countries using the occasion to publicly reaffirm their deepening strategic partnership. Chinese state media described bilateral relations as "unshakeable as a mountain amid wind and rain" and "at their best period in history," while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia has "very serious expectations" for the visit and described the relationship as a "particularly privileged and strategic partnership." The timing highlights how Beijing and Moscow have strengthened their political and economic ties since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, despite Western sanctions. The visit showcases robust bilateral trade that has exceeded $200 billion annually for three consecutive years, reaching $227.9 billion in 2025 with China remaining Russia's largest trading partner for the 16th straight year. Trade data for the first four months of 2026 showed bilateral commerce reaching $85.2 billion, a 19.7 percent year-on-year increase. State news agency Xinhua reported that cooperation in emerging fields including artificial intelligence, aerospace, green economy, and cross-border e-commerce is flourishing, while the Russian delegation included deputy prime ministers, government ministers, and company heads to address economic agenda items including the proposed Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, which could deliver an additional 50 billion cubic meters annually to China. China has never condemned Russia's military action in Ukraine and presents itself as a neutral party while remaining Moscow's key economic partner as the world's top buyer of Russian fossil fuels. Beijing denies providing weapons and military components to Moscow and has blamed Western countries for prolonging what it calls Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II by arming Ukraine. The visa-free travel arrangements that began in September between the two countries have further solidified people-to-people ties, with Chinese President Xi describing Trump's visit as a "milestone" that established a relationship of "constructive strategic stability."