Putin’s Visit to China and the Sino-Russian Rapprochement

(Translated)

Al-Rayah Newspaper - Issue 601 - 27/05/2026

By: Ustadh Ahmed Al-Khatwani

The timing of Russian President Putin’s visit to China is significant, coming directly after the US President’s visit. Therefore, it carries numerous meanings and implications. Observers of the visit will undoubtedly notice a new rapprochement between Russia and China, as well as intensive coordination between the two countries, particularly in confronting the United States.

It is clear, then, that Russian President Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have significantly strengthened their cooperation recently in several vital areas, such as trade, energy, security, and international relations. This culminated in Putin’s recent visit to China on 19^th May, during which 42 documents were signed between the two countries. Foremost among these was a joint statement on continuing to strengthen the comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction, deepening good-neighborly relations, friendship, and cooperation, in addition to a “Joint Statement on Advocating Global Multipolarity and New Types of International Relations.”

Putin’s visit to China was a resounding success on all levels, in stark contrast to Trump’s, which was remarkably lackluster and yielded no tangible results on any of the key issues on the agenda. The visit was largely personal, despite being shrouded in empty media hype.

Despite Trump’s claims of numerous achievements from the visit, he himself failed to identify any of them or effectively promote any accomplishments.

With these two visits to China—which has become a pilgrimage site for world leaders—the real struggles between international major powers to shape the new international order began, particularly between the United States and China. Both countries are attempting to steer the course of the global order and define its nature according to their strategic visions, thereby gaining control over global economic, political, and military affairs.

China publicly declares that it does not seek to build international alliances, that it does not aim to divide the world into camps, and that it does not wish to repeat the tools and vocabulary of the Cold War, nor does it adopt its concepts. China demonstrates its relations with all countries through available economic partnerships, stating that it maintains an equal distance from everyone, does not favor one side over another, and that it has no axes or alliances, and that its partnerships are open to all.

However, this theoretical and philosophical approach to its view of the international situation contradicts, in practice, the unique nature of its relationship with Russia, which has become a special strategic partnership.

This became evident when comparing the two visits. During Trump’s visit to China, the Chinese leadership appeared very cautious and reserved in all its statements and positions, especially those related to technology and trade. It was even more cautious and ambiguous on political matters concerning Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, and Taiwan, while on strategic and international issues, it was even more silent and vague. While Putin’s visit to China was characterized by harmony and cordiality between the two countries, the comprehensive economic and strategic partnership with Russia was reaffirmed and expanded. The shared political vision of building a multipolar world was also emphasized, along with a consensus on rejecting the unipolar international order that the United States is planning and attempting to impose on the world.

Relations between China and Russia are experiencing an unprecedented warmth and are developing in all areas, particularly in the economic sphere, and especially in the oil, gas, and rare earth sectors. Furthermore, there is complete agreement on strategic relations and on the issue of multipolarity.

In the economic field and in the language of numbers, China has become the main importer of Russian energy exports at preferential prices that benefit the Chinese economy. In the first two months of this year, 2026, China imported about 21.8 million tons of oil from Russia, which represents an increase of 41% compared to the same period of the previous year. This import compensated for the shortage in Chinese energy supplies from the Gulf countries via the Strait of Hormuz, and from Venezuela, which surrendered to complete American hegemony after the arrest of its president, Maduro.

Since 2025, prior to the outbreak of war with Iran, Russia has become China’s largest energy supplier, exporting 101 million tons of crude oil and 49 billion cubic meters of gas via pipelines and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Russia aims to further increase its energy supplies to China through the proposed Power of Siberia 2 pipeline (Altai gas pipeline), which would transport Russian gas directly to China via Mongolia.

Conversely, technological and trade dialogue with the United States remains stalled, particularly regarding the export of rare earth minerals from China to the US. The issue of allowing the sale of new generations of American semiconductors to China is also unresolved, as are the outstanding issues of reciprocal tariffs, bilateral trade, Chinese purchases of American soybeans, and the sale of Boeing aircraft to China. In conclusion, China is dealing with America with coolness and caution, while its relationship with Russia is characterized by warmth and harmony. This signifies that the new international landscape is beginning to take shape, dominated by two main poles: America and China. Russia has clearly aligned itself with China, while Europe is distancing itself from America and not drawing closer to China, searching for its place among the four major powers.

This crystallization of the emerging multipolar world will take a difficult turn and will take a relatively long time to stabilize. This crystallization will pave the way for new powers to emerge through widening gaps in the international situation, which is often gradually taking shape. The Islamic state, by the Permission of Allah (swt), will be the new rising power that will overturn these international balances and become the undisputed leading global power.