Beijing emerges as diplomatic hub as Trump and Putin visit within days

Beijing has become a focal point of global diplomacy this month, hosting the leaders of the United States and Russia within the span of a single week as China seeks to reinforce its position amid rising geopolitical tensions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is due to visit China on 19-20 May, just days after US President Donald Trump concluded talks in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping, says the Guardian.

Ahead of Putin's arrival, Xi and Putin exchanged what Chinese state media described as "congratulatory letters" marking the 30th anniversary of the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Xi said bilateral cooperation had "continuously deepened and solidified", underscoring the increasingly close ties between Beijing and Moscow. The two leaders have met more than 40 times, far exceeding Xi's meetings with Western counterparts.

China has provided Russia with economic and diplomatic backing since Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, helping sustain the conflict despite Western sanctions and efforts to isolate Russia internationally.

Trade between the two countries has reached record levels, with China buying more than a quarter of Russia's total exports. Since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Beijing has purchased more than $367 billion worth of Russian fossil fuels, deepening an energy relationship that analysts say has become increasingly important for China's energy security.

Energy cooperation is expected to feature prominently during Putin's visit, including discussions on the proposed "Power of Siberia 2" gas pipeline project, which would add 50 billion cubic metres of capacity to existing gas links between the two countries.

Trump's earlier visit to Beijing focused heavily on trade, Taiwan and tensions in the Middle East, according to official statements and analysts. The war in Ukraine featured only marginally in public readouts of the talks. The US statement made no mention of the conflict, while the Chinese side referred briefly to the "Ukraine crisis".

Among the issues discussed was the Strait of Hormuz, where disruptions to shipping linked to Middle East tensions have raised concerns over global energy supplies. Trump said China agreed on the need to reopen the strategic waterway.

Taiwan remained another major source of tension during the talks. Xi warned Trump of the potential for conflict over the self-governed island, which Beijing claims as its territory.

Analysts say China's expanding energy ties with Russia could also reflect Beijing's desire to strengthen oil security in the event of a future Taiwan-related crisis.

Trump left Beijing without deciding whether to approve a proposed multi-billion dollar weapons package for Taiwan, an issue Beijing has repeatedly urged Washington to abandon.

Analysts say the back-to-back visits by the leaders of the world's three largest powers are highly unusual in the post-Cold War era and reflect China's growing diplomatic weight.

While Trump's summit with Xi was widely viewed as ending in stalemate, Putin's visit is expected to reinforce strategic coordination between Beijing and Moscow, particularly in the areas of energy infrastructure and broader opposition to Western influence.