Putin is welcomed in China by Xi as they work to strengthen their strategic partnership.

• On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin was welcomed in Beijing by Chinese leader Xi Jinping as both leaders aim to strengthen their strategic partnership.
• Xi invited Putin for a two-day state visit to China, which will be Putin's first foreign trip since he began his fifth term in office last week.
• Since February 2022, the two countries have emphasized their "unlimited" friendship as a response to the global impact of the U.S.

On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin was welcomed in Beijing by Chinese leader Xi Jinping as both leaders aim to strengthen their strategic partnership.

Xi invited Putin for a two-day state visit to China, which will be Putin's first foreign trip since he began his fifth term in office last week.

Since February 2022, the two countries have emphasized their "unlimited" friendship as a response to the global impact of the U.S.

Russia has increasingly relied on China to fund its war effort in Ukraine as the US imposes more sanctions on Moscow.

According to an interview with state-media Xinhua published before his visit, Putin stated that the trade volume between the two countries reached $227.8 billion last year, up from $111 billion in 2019.

He pointed out that the current bilateral trade volume is approximately 20 trillion rubles, equivalent to 1.6 trillion yuan, or around $219.6 billion.

Putin stated that both countries aim to strengthen cooperation in high-technology, outer space, peaceful uses of nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy, among other sectors.

The U.S. has warned Beijing to reduce its military support for Moscow's conflict in Ukraine, as China's close ties with Russia have been a source of tension between the two nations.

This week, U.S. President Joe Biden announced stiff new tariff rates on $18 billion worth of Chinese imports to safeguard American industries from what Washington has labeled "unfair trade practices" by China.

Observers have stated that the increasing economic and diplomatic pressure from the U.S. and its allies could drive China towards Russia.

According to Russian state media, Putin is anticipated to encounter Chinese Premier Li Qiang and visit the north-eastern city of Harbin for a trade and investment conference.

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