The highly anticipated ‘new era’ of strategic partnership between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping commenced in Beijing on Thursday. Though it wasn’t sealed with a kiss, it did feature rare hugs between the two leaders.
As Russia faces Western sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine, it increasingly depends on its expanding trade with China. China, in turn, is challenging U.S. dominance in areas like quantum computing, espionage, and military power. President Xi, typically reserved in his displays of affection, hugged Putin twice, gripping him by the shoulders.
Footage from state broadcaster CCTV showed the leaders embracing in the evening air of the Zhongnanhai leadership compound in Beijing, which quickly gained popularity on social media. Aides and officials looked on, some applauding. This informal tea and dinner event was considered the key session of Putin’s two-day visit to China.
After the Beijing meeting, Putin traveled to the northeastern city of Harbin, influenced by Russian culture, where he planned to spend Friday before returning to Moscow.
Earlier, the leaders signed a detailed statement that intensified their opposition to a U.S.-led world order and pledged cooperation in areas such as space, nuclear technologies, finance, and manufacturing. “The China-Russia relationship is hard earned, and the two sides need to cherish and nurture it,” Xi stated.
While Putin praised their “warm and comradely” discussions, their embrace fell short of the full “socialist fraternal kiss” once favored by leaders like the Soviet Union’s Leonid Brezhnev during the Cold War.