Escalation: Putin arrives in Beijing for state visit

Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing for a two-day state visit. Xi Jinping welcomed him with full honors in Tiananmen Square and at the Great Hall of the People. A guard of honor stood as the anthems played with artillery salutes, and the military band struck up Moscow Nights during the inspection.

The leaders then opened talks inside the Great Hall. They addressed each other as friends and exchanged set-piece compliments. The schedule foresees a joint declaration deepening ties and a package of state-level agreements after the meetings.

The opening messages emphasized energy and travel. Putin cast Russia as a reliable supplier and China as a responsible consumer, and both sides said the mutual visa-free regime will continue. He also said he is ready to attend the APEC summit in Shenzhen in November.

AI-synthesized from multiple reported sources