Chinese leader Xi Jinping met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. At the start of their meeting, Xi warned that the world risked returning to a 'law of the jungle' situation, implying a global order dominated by power rather than rules. He described China-Russia relations as a major force for global stability. The meeting took place just days after Xi hosted U.S. President Donald Trump, highlighting Beijing’s active diplomatic engagements with major powers.

Before the bilateral talks at the Great Hall of the People, Putin received a red-carpet welcome with full state honors. A military band played both national anthems, Chinese troops presented a guard of honor, and children waved Chinese and Russian flags while shouting greetings in Chinese. The ceremony mirrored the recent reception for Trump’s visit, which included discussions on trade, investment, and regional issues such as Iran and Taiwan.

The meeting underscored China’s effort to balance relations with both Russia and the United States amid shifting global dynamics.