Beijing Further Expresses Support for Putin, Reiterates Sovereignty Over Taiwan Straits

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shake hands before a group photo session at the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries on the sidelines of the 2017 BRICS Summit in Xiamen, China, on Sept. 5, 2017. Kenzaburo Fukuhara/AFP/Getty Images

Two days before Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s birthday, he made two big moves. Analysts believe that these moves were also meant to increase his leverage as he seeks a third term at the upcoming 20th Party Congress.

In communist countries, top leaders’ birthdays are important dates for the entire nation. Xi was born on June 15, 1953.