Putin Arrives in Beijing, China, to Meet Xi Jinping

Putin is set to become the second president to be received by Xi Jinping within a week, following Xi’s reception of United States President Donald Trump on Thursday 14 May. Putin arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport at 23:15 local time. According to AFP, his arrival was greeted by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and a musical performance by a band from the armed forces. Putin and Xi are scheduled to discuss the strategic partnership between Russia and China, ‘exchanging views on important international and regional issues’, the Kremlin said, cited by AFP. Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, praised the good relations between the two countries on the same day, saying ‘the everlasting friendship between China and Russia’. Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov, as reported by TASS on Tuesday 19 May 2026, said Putin’s 19-20 May visit to Beijing would be marked by a very intensive agenda. Putin will meet Xi directly, with talks between Russia and China in both narrow and broad formats. The Kremlin says the two leaders will jointly launch a cross-year education programme and discuss the most pressing global issues ‘while having tea’. Putin will also hold several other meetings, including talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang that will focus on trade and economic issues. In a video statement released ahead of the visit to China, Putin explained the importance of his trip: ‘I am very pleased to be able to visit Beijing once again at the invitation of my long-time good friend, President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping.’ ‘Regular reciprocal visits and high-level Russia-China talks are an important and integral part of our joint effort to promote the entire spectrum of our relations and unlock their unlimited potential,’ Putin said.