Vladimir Putin's state visit to China this week was a show of strength. The visit was also an opportunity for the Russian president to show the world that he has a powerful ally.
The Russian leader is widely regarded as an outcast after ordering a military operation in Ukraine. But the opposite is true for the Chinese leader. He is seen as an important partner in building a new world order without US leadership.
Putin was well received by C guest on the visit. A red carpet reception was given. The band played old Red Army songs. As the two leaders walked through Tiananmen Square, little children cheered. Xi and Putin also took pictures in front of the camera hugging each other.
After all, China's interests are not Russia's interests. C is likely to co-operate in bilateral relations as long as it suits its interests. Even as much as his 'dear friend' and ally Putin needs him.
The cordial relationship between the two leaders has been widely publicized by the state media of Russia and China. But the truth is, their relationship is not at all an equal partnership.
Putin went on a visit to China to humbly collect something. His interest was that China should continue to trade with Russia, which is under strict Western sanctions and isolated. His voice was honeyed during the tour. China was full of praise.
Putin said his family is learning Mandarin (the Chinese language). This is worth mentioning. Because it is very rare for him to speak publicly about his children.
The Russian leader declared that he and President Xi were 'so close, like brothers'. Putin praised China's economy, saying, "It's moving fast." His praise is likely to comfort officials in Beijing worried about the country's economic slowdown.
But Chinese leader Xi's voice did not echo Putin's effusive praise. Instead, his comments were perfunctory, even uninteresting. He said Putin is a "good friend and good neighbor". China's welcome to Putin and attempt to show the unity between the two leaders was mainly in Beijing's own interest. There was no barrage of eulogies about state guest Putin or his country.
The costly war in Ukraine shows no signs of ending. It also changed China-Russia relations. The war exposed the weakness of Russia's military and its economy. President Xi knows it's his time to lead the world.
The war in Ukraine has made Russia one-sided. China's relationship with the West may be strained, but Beijing has not isolated itself from the world like Russia, nor does it want to.
President Xi's public speeches may lack enthusiasm or enthusiasm. However, he indicated that China attaches importance to bilateral and international relations.
During the visit, Putin was invited to his official residence in Zhongnanhai. Few world leaders have had the opportunity to be honored by visiting this residence as an invited guest. One of them is former US President Barack Obama. In 2014, during the happiest period of China-US relations, Obama went to that residence during his visit to China.
Efforts to balance relations with Russia are evident in Xi. On the one hand, he wants to maintain an alliance with Putin, but on the other hand, he wants to be wary that a close relationship with a single state could endanger his country's stable relations with the West. He knows that it is important to maintain good relations with Western countries to boost China's slow economy.
In fact, Putin's visit to China was all about money. He wanted China's help in Russia's war in Ukraine.
A look at the entourage accompanying the Russian leader gives an indication of his expectations for a visit to Beijing. Putin was accompanied by the governor of Russia's central bank, his finance minister and economic advisers.
Putin went on a visit to China to humbly collect something. His interest was that China should continue to trade with Russia, which is under strict Western sanctions and isolated. His voice was honeyed during the tour. China was full of praise.
Naturally, the China-Russia trade relationship has dominated the joint statement released during Putin's visit. The statement mentions the word 'cooperation' 130 times.
Of course, the United States is keeping a watchful eye on all this. Last month, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken warned China against provoking Russia in the war in Ukraine and providing parts for the country's drones and tanks.
Putin's visit to Beijing, the reception extended to him and the other arrangements surrounding the visit, confirm that Xi is determined to prove that he will not succumb to Western pressure.
But hidden behind such a display of unity with Russia may be the issue of limits on how far Xi is willing to go with Moscow.
After all, China's interests are not Russia's interests. C is likely to cooperate in the partnership of the two countries as long as it suits its interests. Even as much as his 'dear friend' and ally Putin needs him.
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