Side-by-side comparison of Putin's visit to China versus Trump's visit

Within days, Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted both Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, with strikingly similar welcome ceremonies featuring military honour guards, marching bands, and cheering children. Experts say the back-to-back visits highlight Beijing's efforts to position itself at the centre of global diplomacy. Trump's visit was also flanked by the Iranian foreign minister's arrival beforehand, effectively 'sandwiching' the US president. While the staging looked similar, the agendas differed: Trump's summit covered trade, Taiwan, and the war in Ukraine, while Putin's visit focused on energy cooperation and strategic ties. The language also varied—Xi called for China and the US to be 'partners, not rivals,' while praising 'unyielding ties' with Putin. Analysts note China is leveraging the optics for both its domestic audience and its global image, reinforcing its role as a major diplomatic power on the world stage. Read more: https://cna.asia/4wH6wzf