Putin arrives in China for state visit

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in China on Tuesday evening for a two-day state visit. He was welcomed at the airport in Beijing by Foreign Minister Wang Yi. On Wednesday, Putin will meet with President Xi Jinping to discuss cooperation in various fields as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern. Before Putin's arrival, Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on Tuesday held talks with visiting Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov in Beijing. Ding, who's also a Politburo Standing Committee member, said the two countries have worked together to maintain a positive momentum in bilateral investment cooperation. And at a regular press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun expressed confidence that under the strategic guidance of Xi and Putin, the friendship between China and Russia will enjoy greater popular support, as youth in both countries join hands and inject fresh vitality into the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era. Putin's 25th visit to China comes less than a week after a trip to Beijing by US President Donald Trump. The Russian leader last visited China in September 2025 when he attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, along with commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. (Additional reporting by Xinhua) Edited by Edmond Fong