Russian President Vladimir Putin tops China’s guest list for G20 summit
In the third story in a series on China’s relations with other G20 members ahead of next month’s summit in Hangzhou, the South China Morning Post looks at the foundations of what’s been called a ‘bromance’ between President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart
When Russia and China celebrated the 70th anniversary of the end of the second world war with grand military parades in Moscow and Beijing last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Xi Jinping stood shoulder to shoulder, front and centre, on the reviewing stands.
Those images have prompted many to speculate that Putin will again feature prominently alongside Xi when China hosts Group of 20 leaders at the G20 summit in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, next month.
Chinese protocol will treat Putin well in terms of a spot for the group photo of G20 leaders
A senior Chinese diplomat made no secret China’s intentions this month, telling media that Putin would be guest No 1 at the annual gathering of leaders from the world’s most influential nations and largest economies.
It will be a marked contrast to the reception Putin received at the 2014 G20 summit in Brisbane, Australia, which he left early after coming under concerted Western fire over the Ukraine crisis. Putin left those talks before the final communique was issued, saying he needed to get some sleep.
Others who will be attending this year’s most important gathering of global leaders include US President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister Theresa May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Francois Hollande and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
