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

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to China this week highlighted deepening diplomatic ties between Beijing and Moscow, with both leaders emphasizing a shared vision for a multipolar world order. The meeting produced a joint declaration reaffirming opposition to hegemony and exclusive international blocs, aligning with China’s recent policy documents addressing the Global South and ASEAN. Despite discussions on energy cooperation, no progress was made on the long-stalled Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, which would transport Russian gas to China via Mongolia. Analysts suggest China’s diplomatic influence has grown following back-to-back summits with Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, who agreed to build a ‘constructive relationship of strategic stability’ during his visit. Zhang Xin, a professor at East China Normal University, described China’s position as ‘relatively more advantageous’ within the triangular dynamic, citing the symbolic weight of hosting both leaders. Energy cooperation remained a key topic, though experts dismissed urgency for the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, noting China’s diversified supply chains and renewable energy advancements. Li Lifan, a specialist at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, framed the joint declaration as a reflection of China’s broader strategy to counter U.S. influence through multilateral frameworks. The visit occurred amid speculation that China and Russia might finalize energy deals amid Western sanctions on Moscow over the Ukraine war. However, disputes over gas prices and other logistical issues have stalled negotiations for over a decade. Beijing’s energy security strategy now prioritizes renewables and partnerships with Central Asian nations like Turkmenistan, reducing reliance on Russian gas. While the summit reinforced political alignment, economic and strategic asymmetries in the China-Russia relationship were evident. Observers noted that despite shared rhetoric, Beijing’s growing leverage in global diplomacy may limit Moscow’s ability to secure major concessions.