China and Russia Unite on World Order, but Putin Departs Without Concrete Gains

The recent state visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to China, while presented as a united front for a multipolar world order, appears to have been more symbolic than substantive for Moscow. The much-anticipated Power of Siberia 2 pipeline deal, a key objective for Russia, was conspicuously absent from any concrete agreements announced during the high-profile summit. This outcome underscores the growing economic and strategic asymmetries within the China-Russia relationship, with Beijing increasingly holding the upper hand.

Chinese observers, such as Zhang Xin, a professor at the Centre for Russian Studies at East China Normal University, interpret the visit as a strategic success for Beijing. By hosting both Putin and, previously, former US President Donald Trump, China has positioned itself as a central player in global geopolitics. This diplomatic maneuvering, according to Xin, has significantly strengthened China's standing within the complex triangular relationship involving Russia and the United States, placing Beijing in a "relatively more advantageous position."

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China is actually standing in a relatively more advantageous position.

From a Chinese perspective, the visit reinforces the narrative of a world order increasingly resistant to US hegemony. The public display of camaraderie between Xi Jinping and Putin serves Beijing's broader foreign policy goals of challenging Western dominance and promoting a more diversified international system. However, the lack of tangible economic benefits for Russia, particularly concerning energy infrastructure, suggests that while China champions a multipolar world, it does so on terms that increasingly favor its own national interests. The visit, therefore, highlights not just a shared geopolitical vision but also the evolving power dynamics within this crucial bilateral partnership.

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Given the fact that the leaders of Russia and the US have visited China, this is not just symbolic. Indeed, China now is in a relatively stronger position within this triangular relationship.