China-Russia Ties: An Unequal Partnership ๐ค
Putin meets Xi in Beijing, highlighting the complex and unequal nature of China-Russia relations amid ongoing global shifts.

BBC News
64.3K views โข May 19, 2026

About this video
Vladimir Putin is in Beijing for a summit with the Chinese president Xi Jinping - a man he describes as his "long-time friend". The two leaders have met dozens of times over the years, cultivating an alliance between Russia and China which officials have called a "friendship with no limits".
Our Russia editor Steve Rosenberg tells us that both countries are keen to challenge the notion that the US is the world's dominant superpower. On this trip - which comes just days after President Donald Trump visited Beijing - Mr Putin and Mr Xi are expected to sign a "Declaration on the Emergence of a Multipolar World", according to Russian media.
They are also expected to discuss a planned gas pipeline, called the Power of Siberia 2, or Altai.
But the relationship between Moscow and Beijing is complicated. China has emerged as the more economically and diplomatically powerful partner, and each nation is forging its own ties with Washington. Mr Trump has suggested that Mr Xi could have a "big influence" on Mr Putin, in efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
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#BBCNews #china #russia #xijinping #putin #trump #ukraine
00:00 Introduction
00:18 Putin and Xi's friendship
01:04 Shared worldview
02:22 China's ties to the US and Russia
03:15 An unequal partnership
04:28 What Putin wants
06:09 A multipolar world order
Our Russia editor Steve Rosenberg tells us that both countries are keen to challenge the notion that the US is the world's dominant superpower. On this trip - which comes just days after President Donald Trump visited Beijing - Mr Putin and Mr Xi are expected to sign a "Declaration on the Emergence of a Multipolar World", according to Russian media.
They are also expected to discuss a planned gas pipeline, called the Power of Siberia 2, or Altai.
But the relationship between Moscow and Beijing is complicated. China has emerged as the more economically and diplomatically powerful partner, and each nation is forging its own ties with Washington. Mr Trump has suggested that Mr Xi could have a "big influence" on Mr Putin, in efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
New episodes of the Global News Podcast are published twice a day. You can listen here: https://link.mgln.ai/GNP-YT
And you can find more of our YouTube episodes here: https://bbc.in/GlobalNewsPodcast
Subscribe to our channel here: https://bbc.in/bbcnews
For the latest news download the BBC News app or visit BBC.com/news
#BBCNews #china #russia #xijinping #putin #trump #ukraine
00:00 Introduction
00:18 Putin and Xi's friendship
01:04 Shared worldview
02:22 China's ties to the US and Russia
03:15 An unequal partnership
04:28 What Putin wants
06:09 A multipolar world order
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Video Information
Views
64.3K
Likes
723
Duration
10:05
Published
May 19, 2026
User Reviews
4.4
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