China Says Xi-Putin Meetings Support Stable Ties Between the Two Countries

China's foreign ministry has said that meetings between President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin help ensure stable development of relations between the two countries, as speculation continues over a possible one-on-one meeting between the leaders at an upcoming summit.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun commented on the prospects for such a meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting, which China is set to host in Shenzhen in November. The APEC gathering is expected to draw numerous heads of state and government, creating an opportunity for bilateral talks alongside the main summit proceedings.

A Long-Running Partnership

Xi and Putin have met on numerous occasions in recent years, and Chinese officials have consistently framed these encounters as reinforcing a broader strategic partnership between Beijing and Moscow. Guo's comments reflect that established messaging, emphasizing continuity and stability in the relationship rather than any new specific commitments.

Whether the two leaders will hold a dedicated one-on-one meeting during the Shenzhen summit, as opposed to more limited interactions on the margins of the broader multilateral gathering, remains to be confirmed. APEC summits typically involve a dense schedule of multilateral sessions alongside opportunities for bilateral meetings among leaders.

China's hosting of the November APEC meeting in Shenzhen will place Beijing at the center of regional economic diplomacy, with the Xi-Putin dynamic likely to draw attention among the summit's broader agenda of trade and economic cooperation issues across the Asia-Pacific.