According to BBC, for a moment Beijing almost resembled Moscow as Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping walked together along the red carpet toward the Great Hall of the People, while a Chinese military band played the classic Russian song “Moscow Nights.”
The visit highlighted the carefully cultivated relationship between Russia and China, with both leaders referring to each other as “dear friend” and emphasizing “strategic cooperation,” “mutual respect,” “friendship,” and “trust.”
Putin and Xi also jointly criticized what they described as the “irresponsible” nuclear policy of the United States and condemned President Donald Trump’s proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense shield.
Russian state media reinforced the symbolism ahead of the summit by publishing contrasting images: one showing Trump appearing isolated while boarding Air Force One after his China visit, and another featuring Putin and Xi walking side by side — underscoring the message that Moscow and Beijing remain closely aligned on the global stage.
However, BBC notes that beneath the warm rhetoric and carefully staged symbolism lies the reality of geopolitics, where relationships are ultimately driven by national interests rather than sentiment.
The summit reportedly demonstrated that despite the public display of closeness, the partnership between Russia and China still has clear limits — particularly after Putin failed to secure a long-sought agreement on a major gas pipeline project during the visit.
