China has pretty much put the Trump visit in its rear view mirror and is now focusing like a laser on the even more important visit by Russia’s Vladimir Putin. In a briefing about the upcoming event, Presidential Adviser Yuri Ushakov indicated that President Putin would not be writing an article prior to his visit, as was the tradition previously, but would be making a video address to the Chinese people. He also made clear that the visit had no connection with the Trump visit to Beijing, as the Putin visit had been arranged in February prior to any decision on the Trump visit
”Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping will discuss the most sensitive aspects of their bilateral agenda at Russian-Chinese talks, which will be held in both narrow and expanded formats,” Ushakov said. The delegation will include five deputy prime ministers, eight ministers, Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina, heads of news agencies, major state corporations and banks, and the rectors of several universities. A total of 39 people will participate in the expanded talks. The deputy prime ministers will report on their respective areas of work: preparations for regular meetings of heads of government, investment cooperation, energy, humanitarian ties, and the development of China’s Far East and northeast. Then, the two countries’ foreign ministers, Sergey Lavrov and Wang Yi, will discuss foreign policy cooperation.
The two sides will sign 40 documents of cooperation in various areas. Hydrocarbons will be discussed as well as the long-planned Power of Siberia-2. Ushakov stated the following: “This topic will be discussed in great detail,” Ushakov said, “it’s on the agenda, and we are committed to a serious discussion of this matter. I won’t get ahead of myself as to what will be signed.”
Ushakov also noted that Chinese and Russian positions on foreign policy issues are often not just close, but completely aligned. He noted that trade between the two countries is almost entirely denoted in rubles and yuan, protected from third-party influence and global instability. The two sides will sign 40 documents of cooperation in various areas. After the larger formal meetings, Putin will also discuss key issues over tea. Ushakov indicated that this meeting with only four people from each , will be the most important part of the visit.
During the course of the visit, Putin will also be meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang to discuss further on the oil and gas issues.
