Putin Hails Deepened Ties With China as Xi Outlines His Vision for New World Order

The messages conveyed by the two leaders indicate that a new ‘axis of evil’ is in place, analyst says.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin speaks during the opening ceremony of the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on October 18, 2023. PEDRO PARDO/AFP via Getty Images

Chinese leader Xi Jinping met with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Beijing on Oct. 18, exchanging warm greetings, referring to each other as “old” and “dear” friends, and hailing their deepening “political mutual trust.”

The Russian leader also commended Mr. Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI, also known as One Belt, One Road) for its supposed role in promoting a “fairer, multi-polar world”—a new world order.