Wednesday was the day of unprecedented diplomatic activity in Beijing. Chinese leader Xi Jinping had 2 key talks in just a fewer hours: first with Russian president Vladimir Putin and then with United States president Donald Trump. This extraordinary convergence of events highlights China's increasing function as a central point of global politics, forced to balance between a strategical partnership with Moscow and a complex rivalry with Washington.
Morning video conference with Kremlin: Alliance independent of seasons
Diplomatic day began with a video conference between president Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin. The conversation, which according to the Kremlowskie sources lasted an hr and twenty-five minutes, began at 12:25 Moscow time, or 10:25 Polish time. The authoritative communications of both parties highlighted the strength and strategical nature of the relationship. The leaders discussed a wide scope of topics, including economical cooperation, which has been at the level of over $200 billion per year for 3 years, the energy partnership and the forthcoming 25th anniversary of the Treaty on Good vicinity and Friendly Cooperation. Putin, in his flowery words, stated that “in Russian-Chinese relations the spring lasts all year”, and Xi declared his readiness to “further deepen strategical cooperation”.
Unofficially, the discussions besides afraid more delicate issues. Kremlin advisor Yuri Uszakov reported that the subject of the war in Ukraine, tensions around Iran and the situation in Venezuela and Cuba was discussed. It was besides confirmed that Putin accepted an invitation to visit China in the first half of 2026. It is crucial that the conversation took place on the day erstwhile the key Treaty on atomic Weapons Control of fresh START expires, and the Russian side stressed Washington's deficiency of consequence to its proposal to extend it.
Evening telephone call from Washington: tension and stableness attempt
A fewer hours later, on the evening of February 4, Polish time, Xi Jinping received a call from Donald Trump. This conversation, described by the American president as “very positive”, took place in the context of fresh tensions. The authoritative message from the Chinese MFA indicates that Taiwan was the main topic. Xi was to emphasize that this was “the most crucial issue in Chinese-American relations” and called on the US to “careful approach to arms sales” for the island. Trump assured his side that he “understands how China feels about Taiwan”.
Unofficial leaks, mostly from the American side, besides revealed that there was a discussion about the war in Ukraine and Iran, where Trump was to press Beijing to break relations with Tehran. An interesting subject is China's expected promise to increase imports of American soy, as Trump reported. However, this information was not confirmed in the authoritative Chinese communication. The conversation was the first public contact of both leaders in a fewer months and took place before Trump's April visit to China.
What does it mean to have conversations for the world?
Xi's convergence with Putin and Trump is read by analysts as a conscious demonstration of strength and China's central position internationally. Faced with “global turmoil”, as Putin described, Beijing is positioned as a stabilising origin and reliable partner, capable of dialog with 2 conflicted powers. On the 1 hand, China strengthens its strategical alliance with Russia, viewing it as a counterweight to American dominance. On the another hand, they effort to stabilise relations with the US, their inactive crucial economical partner, despite many points of dispute.
The reactions of another countries are restrained for the time being, although it is crucial that the Vice-Minister of abroad Affairs of Taiwan stated that his country welcomes the Washington-Pekin dialog as a origin that can stabilise the situation in the region. Meanwhile, 3rd country leaders, specified as the prime ministers of Spain, Ireland, Finland, Canada or the United Kingdom, are, in fact, visiting China all week, seeking an alternate to Trump's unpredictable administration policy.
More and more signs show that in a fresh multipolar reality, all roads seem to lead to the mediate State.
Source:
- http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/79098
- https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/xw/zyxw/202602/t20260205_11851262.html
- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/4/trump-hairs-excellent-phone-call-with-chinas-xi-amide-trade-tensions
- https://www.eurnews.com/2026/02/05/xi-jinping-discusses-growing-links-ties-with-us-and-global-crisses-in-video-call-with-vladi
- https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/xi-putin-hail-ties-video-call-ukraine-war-nears-anniversary-2026-02-04/
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/02/04/trump-xi-us-china-meeting/
Leszek B. Glass
Email: [email protected]
