China and Russia’s unequal partnership | Global News Podcast

Vladimir Putin is in Beijing for a summit with the Chinese president Xi Jinping – a man he describes as his "long-time friend". The two leaders have met dozens of times over the years, cultivating an alliance between Russia and China which officials have called a "friendship with no limits".

Our Russia editor Steve Rosenberg tells us that both countries are keen to challenge the notion that the US is the world’s dominant superpower. On this trip – which comes just days after President Donald Trump visited Beijing – Mr Putin and Mr Xi are expected to sign a "Declaration on the Emergence of a Multipolar World", according to Russian media.

They are also expected to discuss a planned gas pipeline, called the Power of Siberia 2, or Altai.

But the relationship between Moscow and Beijing is complicated. China has emerged as the more economically and diplomatically powerful partner, and each nation is forging its own ties with Washington. Mr Trump has suggested that Mr Xi could have a "big influence" on Mr Putin, in efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

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00:00 Introduction
00:18 Putin and Xi’s friendship
01:04 Shared worldview
02:22 China’s ties to the US and Russia
03:15 An unequal partnership
04:28 What Putin wants
06:09 A multipolar world order