{"id":8062,"date":"2026-05-20T12:02:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T12:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/?p=8062"},"modified":"2026-05-20T12:02:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T12:02:00","slug":"putin-and-xi-hail-their-high-level-ties-and-growing-energy-trade-as-they-meet-in-beijing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/?p=8062","title":{"rendered":"Putin and Xi hail their high-level ties and growing energy trade as they meet in Beijing"},"content":{"rendered":"

By E. EDUARDO CASTILLO and SIMINA MISTREANU<\/strong><\/p>\n

BEIJING (AP) \u2014 Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed their strategic ties and growing energy trade as they met in Beijing Wednesday only days after a visit by U.S. President Donald Trump to China.<\/p>

Read more Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie charted his own way, until he was toppled by Trump<\/a><\/p>\n

Putin and Xi oversaw the signing of more than 40 cooperation agreements in areas such as trade, technology and media exchanges. They stressed their growing trade, particularly in oil and natural gas, and declared themselves aligned on international relations.<\/p>\n

The countries\u2019 ties have reached \u201cthe highest level in history,\u201d Xi said after the signing ceremony, speaking to members of the delegations and journalists. The two sides also agreed to extend a friendship treaty first signed in 2001.<\/p>\n

Putin told those in the room that \u201cthe driving force behind economic cooperation is Russian-Chinese collaboration in the energy sector.\u201d<\/p>\n

\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 Putin added, an apparent reference to the U.S. war in Iran.<\/p>\n

Xi stressed the need for a \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>

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    \"Russian<\/figure>\n
    Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, China, on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Alexander Kazakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)\n<\/div><\/div><\/li>
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    \"Russian<\/figure>\n
    Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Chinese President Xi Jinping inspect an honor guard during a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Maxim Shemetov\/Pool Photo via AP)\n<\/div><\/div><\/li>
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    \"Russian<\/figure>\n
    Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang shake hands during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Kristina Solovyova, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)\n<\/div><\/div><\/li>
  • \n
    \"Russian<\/figure>\n
    Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a bilateral meeting at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, China, on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Alexander Kazakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)\n<\/div><\/div><\/li><\/div><\/div><\/ul>
    Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, China, on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Alexander Kazakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)\n<\/div>Expand<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n

    A growing trade relationship<\/h4>\n

    China became Russia\u2019s top trading partner after Moscow\u2019s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Beijing has said it is neutral in the conflict while maintaining trade ties with the Kremlin despite economic and financial sanctions by the U.S. and Europe.<\/p>\n

    China is also the top customer for Russian oil and gas supplies, and Moscow expects the war in Iran to increase the demand. There was no visible progress, however, on the prospective Power of Siberia 2 natural gas pipeline that Russia has pushed to boost exports to China.<\/p>\n

    A Russian presidential aide said earlier that 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

    Bilateral trade between the two countries reached around $228 billion in 2025, according to Xinhua news agency.<\/p>

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    Xi said trade in areas like energy served as \u201cstabilizing pillars\u201d of the relationship and pledged to accelerate cooperation in other areas, like artificial intelligence, the digital economy and technological innovation.<\/p>\n