Substance for Putin, ‘face’ for Trump: China, Russia deepen alliance to counter US

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Beijing and reached multiple agreements to deepen their cooperation, contrasting sharply with Trump's recent US visit focused on risk management. The meeting represents a strategic alliance between China and Russia aimed at countering US influence. An analyst noted the difference between the two visits as a choice between pragmatism and ceremonial diplomacy.