As, to the sound of trumpets, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping marched purposefully to meet each other at the centre of the hall, each had much to rejoice over. Their carefully choreographed encounter is a chance for both to show how two global autocrats stand side by side against a third.
As Xi commented with characteristic indirectness, the two are facing “a new era” of “unilateralism and the hegemonic practices of the powerful” – for which read Trump’s second Presidency. The “deepening trust” and “strengthening co-operation” between the two partners underlines to the entire world the geostrategic nature of their shared intention: to contest, weaken and humiliate the US and usher in a new world order shaped by their shared brand of realpolitik. That is the impression they both choose to create.
So what does this meeting of expediently-aligned dictators consist of, beneath its glossy public triumphalism? Firstly, Putin’s air of authority owes much to Xi’s connivance. Russia under Putin has squandered uncounted lives and treasure. Much of the expense has been covered by crucial energy sales to China. Putin has outsourced drone production to China and Iran. Russia depends far more on Beijing than China does on anything Russia has to offer.
As, to the sound of trumpets, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping marched purposefully to meet each other at the centre of the hall, each had much to rejoice over. Their carefully choreographed encounter is a chance for both to show how two global autocrats stand side by side against a third.
As Xi commented with characteristic indirectness, the two are facing “a new era” of “unilateralism and the hegemonic practices of the powerful” – for which read Trump’s second Presidency. The “deepening trust” and “strengthening co-operation” between the two partners underlines to the entire world the geostrategic nature of their shared intention: to contest, weaken and humiliate the US and usher in a new world order shaped by their shared brand of realpolitik. That is the impression they both choose to create.
So what does this meeting of expediently-aligned dictators consist of, beneath its glossy public triumphalism? Firstly, Putin’s air of authority owes much to Xi’s connivance. Russia under Putin has squandered uncounted lives and treasure. Much of the expense has been covered by crucial energy sales to China. Putin has outsourced drone production to China and Iran. Russia depends far more on Beijing than China does on anything Russia has to offer.