Putin to Visit China This Week

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The Facts

  • At the invitation of Chinese Pres. Xi Jinping, Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin will make a two-day state visit to China from May 16 to 17 — his first foreign trip after taking office for the fifth time.

  • The Kremlin said that the two leaders will exchange views on "the most pressing international and regional issues," discuss strengthening strategic partnership, and sign several bilateral documents.


The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

As China-Russia's so-called no-limits partnership has its actual limits tested by growing challenges from the West, it's unclear what the outcome of Putin's latest state visit could be. For its part, the Kremlin seeks more support for its economy and war in Ukraine. Yet, if Putin gets what he wants, Beijing may risk its ties with the West.

Establishment-critical narrative

It's certainly not a surprise that Putin is heading to China for his first state visit after re-election as, if anything, the West's campaign against Russia has prompted the country to pivot to the East and deepen its strategic partnership with Beijing. As pillars of the multipolar world, bilateral cooperation is key to encouraging a new international order.


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Establishment split

CRITICAL

PRO