China hosts Trump and Putin, signalling new geopolitical centre

In early May, Beijing hosted two successive visits by the United States and Russian presidents—Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin—within ten days. Chinese leader Xi Jinping used the meetings to underscore Beijing’s growing role as a global power hub, noting a shift away from the historic US‑Russia axis.

The summit produced dozens of agreements, including a pact for the United States to purchase roughly $17 billion in American agricultural goods annually through 2028 and to buy 200 Boeing aircraft. Russia and China highlighted the strategic importance of the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, while signing about 40 documents covering investment, technology, and multilateral cooperation. A joint “Declaration on the Establishment of a Multipolar World” was issued, signaling an ideological alignment and a push for a new international order.

Xi also instructed Chinese firms to reject advanced U.S. AI chips such as Nvidia’s H200, emphasizing China’s confidence in domestic technological capabilities. The events were interpreted by Western analysts as a clear message that Beijing now occupies the centre of global geopolitics.