In his second trip abroad after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against him, Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing in a show of a 'no-limits' partnership with his 'dear friend' and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. Putin landed at the Beijing Capital International Airport on Tuesday morning and was greeted by the Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao.
Xi met Putin last in Moscow just days after the ICC issued the warrant against Putin. At the time, Xi invited Putin to attend the third Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, an international cooperation forum championed by him, Reuters reported.
During his visit, Putin would attend the forum's opening reception hosted by Xi and hold talks with the leaders of Vietnam, Thailand, Mongolia and Laos, local media reported.
The two countries have formed an informal alliance against the US and other democratic nations, which has been complicated by the Israel-Hamas conflict, according to a report in the Associated Press.
Putin's visit demonstrates the "support for Chinese President Xi Jinping's signature Belt and Road Initiative", which aims to build infrastructure and expand China's global influence, the report said.
Putin also praised the massive but unconnected BRI projects in an interview with Chinese state media.
"Yes, we see that some people consider it an attempt by the People's Republic of China to put someone under its thumb, but we see otherwise, we just see a desire for cooperation," he said in an interview with state broadcaster CCTV, according to a transcript released by the Kremlin on Monday, as reported by AP.
The Russian president will be among the most prominent guests at a gathering commemorating the tenth anniversary of Xi's announcement of the BRI policy.
Putin last visited China for the Beijing Winter Olympics in February 2022 when the two countries announced a "no-limits" partnership just days before Putin sent troops into Ukraine.
Earlier, Putin praised the Belt and Road Forum initiative, saying it is a platform for international cooperation, where "no one imposes anything on others."