Chinese President Xi Jinping to meet Vladimir Putin during economic forum in Russia as US-China trade war intensifies
Talks will coincide with joint military exercise as Beijing, Moscow look to cement ties amid turbulent relations with Washington
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin will push ahead with plans for greater economic cooperation next week when they meet at a forum in Vladivostok amid an escalating US-China trade war.
The meeting between the leaders – their third this year – coincides with the start of the biggest joint exercise between the two countries’ militaries for more than three decades, and suggests an increasingly close relationship as they deal with their respective tensions with Washington.
Xi’s participation in the Eastern Economic Forum, on Tuesday and Wednesday, will be the first ever by a Chinese leader. During his trip, he and Putin will discuss and witness the signing of documents to boost trade and cooperation, including in Russia’s Far East region, according to Zhang Hanhui, an assistant minister at China’s foreign ministry.
They would also discuss ways to advance cooperation on energy, agriculture, hi-tech and infrastructure, Zhang told a press conference on Friday.
