Xi hosts Putin in Beijing days after Trump's visit, balancing both rivals
Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Great Hall of the People days after his summit with US President Donald Trump. The meeting focused on the 'Power of Siberia 2' gas pipeline project, joint defence-technology cooperation and a common stance against the United States' 'Golden Dome' missile-defence plan.
Xi greeted Putin personally on the red carpet, followed by a four-hour meeting behind closed doors. The Chinese foreign ministry said the two leaders discussed the global economic order, the UN security architecture, and regional crises including the ongoing Iran war in the Middle East.
No final signature was put on the 'Power of Siberia 2' gas pipeline, but Chinese officials said there had been 'significant progress'. The pipeline is intended to deliver Siberian gas to northern China via Mongolia, with planned capacity of 50 billion cubic metres a year; pricing negotiations remain unresolved.
In a joint statement, the two countries said the planned US 'Golden Dome' space-based missile-defence system 'poses a clear threat to strategic stability'. Unlike Trump's summit with Xi a few days ago, this meeting — according to a South China Morning Post commentary — translated into 'substance for Putin and a reinforced posture against Trump'.
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