Xi, Putin, and Kim in Beijing – talks on closer cooperation

For the first time, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met for a joint summit in Beijing on Tuesday. According to reports, the aim of the talks was to deepen military and political cooperation.

The meeting is the first public face-to-face meeting between the three heads of state. Discussions focused on closer cooperation in the areas of economics, energy, and security, including possible military coordination and joint exercises.

Putin spoke of an “unprecedented high level” of relations with China and North Korea. He personally thanked Xi Jinping for the warm welcome in Beijing.

Kim Jong-un arrived in an armored train. According to Reuters, his participation in a military parade is seen as a symbol of the growing closeness between North Korea, Russia, and China.

New gas supply contracts between Russia and China were also signed during the meeting.
The participants also discussed possibilities for security cooperation and geopolitical developments in the Asia-Pacific region.

Reuters points out that a closer alliance between these three countries could change the regional balance and pose new challenges for other countries.
(reuters, sie)