China Hosts Putin As Xi Balances Russia Ties And U.S. Diplomacy

The visit marks the 25th anniversary of the 2001 Sino-Russian Treaty of Friendship, a foundational agreement in modern relations between the two countries. (Credit: SERGEI BOBYLYOV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday night for a series of high-level meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, adding another layer to a week marked by major diplomatic exchanges involving the United States, China and Russia.

Putin's aircraft landed in the Chinese capital where he was received by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, an honor guard, and groups of young flag-waving supporters displaying both Russian and Chinese flags.