Xi Jinping Hosts Putin and Kim, Reinforcing Global Alliances

Chinese President Xi Jinping recently hosted a significant meeting with his counterparts from Russia and North Korea, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un. This gathering marks the first time the three leaders have convened since the onset of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, highlighting China’s growing influence among authoritarian regimes. The meeting took place in Beijing during a major military parade, as Western leaders, including Donald Trump, observed from a distance.

The presence of both Putin and Kim underscores a shift in global alliances, with analysts referring to this coalition as the “Axis of Upheaval.” This alliance could potentially enhance military cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly following a mutual defense pact signed between Russia and North Korea in June 2024. Observers have raised concerns that this collaboration may alter the strategic balance in the area.

Kim Jong-un arrived in China aboard his special train on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, to participate in the summit. During the meeting at the Great Hall of the People, Xi and Putin engaged in discussions with leaders from Mongolia, focusing on a significant gas pipeline project among other bilateral matters. Putin expressed gratitude to Xi, stating that their close ties are at an “unprecedentedly high level,” according to a video shared on the Kremlin’s official Telegram channel.

Xi addressed a summit of over 20 leaders from non-Western countries, emphasizing the need to oppose “hegemonism and power politics.” His comments were viewed as a direct critique of Western nations and their geopolitical strategies. Additionally, Xi and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held discussions aimed at mending their previously strained relations, particularly in light of increasing scrutiny from Trump regarding India’s imports of Russian oil.

Trump’s former Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, dismissed the Beijing summit as “performative,” accusing both China and India of exacerbating the ongoing conflict in Ukraine by supporting Russia. As Trump promotes his credentials as a peacemaker, the strengthening of military alliances in the East, particularly with Russia’s involvement, raises alarms in Western capitals.

Analyst Youngjun Kim from the National Bureau of Asian Research indicated that trilateral military exercises involving Russia, China, and North Korea seem likely, given the developments in Ukraine. He noted that the historical partnership between China and Russia in imposing sanctions on North Korea has evolved into a potential military alliance amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Kim’s role in the Ukraine conflict is significant, as he has reportedly supplied over 15,000 troops to support Russia’s military efforts. Following a summit with Putin in Pyongyang in 2024, Kim has sought to reduce North Korea’s reliance on China, a move interpreted as an attempt to elevate his country’s international standing.

Furthermore, South Korean intelligence has indicated that approximately 600 North Korean soldiers have died in combat supporting Russian forces in the Kursk region, with indications that further troop deployments may be planned.

Putin, addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin, asserted the need to restore a “fair balance in the security sphere,” a statement reflecting Russia’s ongoing critiques of NATO’s expansion. His recent engagements in Beijing, alongside expected discussions with Xi and Kim, may provide further insight into Russia’s strategic intentions moving forward.

As global dynamics shift, the implications of this summit extend beyond regional politics, potentially altering the landscape of international relations in the coming years.