China and Russia unite on world order, but Putin departs without concrete gains

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Analysts say Beijing’s position in managing three-way ties appears to be strengthened after hosting Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin

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Laura ZhouandVanessa Caiin ShanghaiPublished: 11:00pm, 21 May 2026Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit this week offered China another opportunity to showcase its diplomatic weight after hosting US President Donald Trump.

But behind the display of solidarity and trust, the packed trip appeared to yield few concrete gains for Moscow – notably no deals on the closely watched Power of Siberia 2 pipeline project.

Still, Chinese observers said the trip reflected the shared push by Beijing and Moscow for a multipolar world order, even as economic and strategic asymmetries in the relationship have become increasingly apparent.

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Zhang Xin, a professor at the Centre for Russian Studies at East China Normal University, said Beijing’s position in managing China-Russia-US ties appeared to be strengthened after hosting Trump and Putin.

“China is actually standing in a relatively more advantageous position,” he said.

Advertisement“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.”AdvertisementSelect VoiceSelect Speed0.8x0.9x1.0x1.1x1.2x1.5x1.75x00:0000:001.00x