Russian President Vladimir Putin receives grand welcome on official visit to China

Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Beijing for a two-day official visit to China, where he received a grand and historic welcome. His visit includes key discussions and meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping. President Putin stated that Russia-China ties are at an “unprecedented level.” President Xi rejected “unilateral bullying” against China and Russia. During the visit, Russia and China signed more than 20 contracts and extended a good-neighborliness pact. The visit is being discussed in the context of a potential Russia-China alliance and is viewed as a big global power shift. According to one analysis, the visit is a big surprise to the US and Israel. Comparisons have been made between the reception and protocol for Putin and a past visit by Trump, with questions raised over who received more respect and a grander welcome. Special moments of the president’s arrival were captured on camera.