On the surface, Chinese leader Xi Jinping's back-to-back summits with U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin looked pretty similar, with formal handshakes in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, enthusiastic greetings from flower-waving children, and marching columns of soldiers branching gleaming bayonets. But the visits also revealed how different China's relationship is with the two countries.
During Trump's visit, China sought to stabilize ties with the United States, while Putin's trip served to deepen its strategic partnership with Russia.
Xi emphasized ceremonial hospitality during Trump's visit, including a rare tour of Zhongnanhai, the former imperial gardens that now serve as the headquarters for China's government. Beijing understood Trump valued highly visible displays of respect, said George Chen, partner for Greater China practice for The Asia Group. "Xi knows this is what Trump values: being treated like a VIP, respected in front of the cameras."
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With Putin, Chen said, Xi switched to substance. "Reaffirming the friendship treaty, signing new energy deals, and re-emphasizing their 'no limits' partnership," he added.
The similarities and contrasts began with the schedule
The differences between Trump and Putin's visits began with their length: the U.S. president stayed in China for three days, while Putin's visit lasted two.
Both leaders were welcomed at Tiananmen Square with ceremonial guards, a military band and children waving Chinese and national flags.
Both also held closed-door meetings with Xi at the Great Hall of the People, next to the square.
But while Trump's visit did not include a public agreement-signing ceremony, Putin and Xi witnessed the signing of bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding.
Trump also received a private tour of the Temple of Heaven and walked through the imperial gardens of Zhongnanhai.
Putin, instead, spent much of his time with Xi inside the Great Hall of the People, where the two presidents toured a photo exhibition on China-Russia relations and later had tea.
Last week's trip was Trump's second visit to China as president. For Putin, it was his 25th visit to the country.
