Chinese language President Xi Jinping on Wednesday (Might 20, 2026) known as for an instantaneous finish to hostilities in West Asia, saying the state of affairs had reached a “essential juncture”, as he held talks along with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin right here amid escalating regional tensions.
Welcoming Mr. Putin on the Nice Corridor of the Individuals, Mr. Xi stated renewed combating within the Gulf and the broader West Asia have to be averted and confused that negotiations ought to proceed.
An early finish to the battle will assist ease disruptions to vitality provides, industrial and provide chains, and the worldwide commerce order, the Chinese language President stated.
The talks between Mr. Xi and Mr. Putin got here days after U.S. President Donald Trump visited China from Might 14-15 and held in depth discussions with the Chinese language chief on the Iran-Israel battle, the Strait of Hormuz and bilateral commerce frictions.
The assembly is being intently watched as each China and Russia are key strategic companions of Iran with shut financial and navy ties to Tehran and will affect its powerful stand on the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has triggered a significant international vitality disaster.
Mr. Xi described the worldwide state of affairs as “fluid and turbulent” and, in an obvious criticism of Mr. Trump’s insurance policies, stated that “unilateralism and hegemonism are resurging”.
“But peace, growth and cooperation stay the aspiration of the folks and the prevailing pattern of our instances,” he stated.
Calling for nearer China-Russia coordination, Mr. Xi stated the 2 nations ought to work collectively to make the worldwide governance system “extra simply and cheap”.
“As everlasting members of the UN Safety Council and vital main nations on the planet, China and Russia ought to take a strategic and long-term perspective, drive the event and revitalisation of our respective nations by complete strategic coordination of even greater high quality, and work to make the worldwide governance system extra simply and cheap,” he stated.
In keeping with the Kremlin, round 40 offers are anticipated to be signed throughout Mr. Putin’s go to.
Mr. Putin, who’s making his twenty fifth go to to China, described Mr. Xi as his “pricey pal” and highlighted the shut coordination and cooperation between the 2 strategic companions.
“Expensive Mr. President, Mr. Xi Jinping, pricey pal! It could be acceptable to make use of a Chinese language saying: so far as we all know, folks in China say, ‘Sooner or later aside looks like three autumns’,” Russian information company Tass quoted Mr. Putin as saying in his opening remarks.
“We’re actually pleased to see you, and we consistently synchronise watches – each personally and thru our aides,” he stated.
The 2 leaders additionally agreed to additional prolong the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Pleasant Cooperation, signed 25 years in the past.
Mr. Xi stated the treaty had laid the institutional basis for long-term friendship and complete strategic coordination between the 2 nations, including that bilateral ties had achieved “leapfrog growth” since then.
“China helps the additional extension of the treaty,” Mr. Xi stated, including that Beijing will work with Moscow to uphold the spirit of the settlement and firmly advance China-Russia “back-to-back strategic coordination”.
Forward of the talks, Mr. Putin was accorded a ceremonial welcome by Mr. Xi.
The Russian chief, who arrived in Beijing on Tuesday (Might 19, 2026) night time, was acquired by Chinese language Overseas Minister Wang Yi.
In a video message issued forward of his go to, Mr. Putin stated Russia-China ties had reached an “unprecedented stage” and famous that bilateral commerce had crossed $200 billion, with transactions more and more being performed in roubles and yuan.
He additionally stated the Russia-China strategic partnership performed a “main stabilising position” globally and confused that the 2 nations would proceed coordination by multilateral boards such because the United Nations, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and BRICS.
Mr. Putin’s go to comes amid heightened tensions in West Asia following Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. seizure of Iranian ports.
China imports practically 90% of Iranian oil regardless of U.S. sanctions, whereas each Moscow and Beijing keep shut strategic ties with Tehran.
Revealed – Might 20, 2026 06:54 pm IST