Beijing backs Moscow against U.S. pressure, warns against global ‘hegemonic order’ as Chinese leader attends Russia’s WWII victory parade.
Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in Moscow to join Vladimir Putin for Russia’s WWII Victory Day celebrations—just as Donald Trump’s White House renews secretive diplomatic overtures toward Moscow.
Speaking at the Kremlin, Xi echoed Moscow’s anti-Western sentiment, vowing to join Russia in resisting “unilateralism and hegemonic bullying.” While the words may seem abstract, their target was clear: Washington and its allies, who continue to support Ukraine and challenge China on trade and regional dominance.
“China will work with Russia to shoulder the special responsibilities of major world powers,” Xi declared beside Putin, referencing their growing “strategic coordination.”
Putin welcomed Xi as a “dear friend,” seizing the moment to connect Russia’s WWII legacy with his ongoing war in Ukraine—a conflict he frames as a fight against “neo-Nazism.”
The optics of Xi standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Putin at a time when Western leaders have boycotted the parade was not lost on observers. It marks China’s most explicit alignment with Russia’s wartime narrative since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
A Warning to Washington
Xi’s visit lands amid a dramatic backdrop: Trump’s push for a ceasefire deal between Russia and Ukraine is gaining traction, unsettling Beijing’s strategic calculus.
“Beijing is watching nervously,” said one Moscow-based diplomat. “Any U.S.-Russia deal could weaken China’s leverage and leave it isolated.”
Chinese media is already preparing domestic audiences for what it calls a “new era of multipolar diplomacy.” But critics say China’s stance as a neutral party in the Ukraine war is increasingly a fiction. Kyiv has accused Beijing of allowing Chinese nationals to assist Russian operations.
Pipeline Politics and Economic Pressure
Behind the scenes, Xi’s delegation is also pushing for progress on the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline—a delayed $55 billion gas project designed to redirect Russian energy flows from Europe to China. With both nations under economic strain, analysts expect a deal may finally be within reach.
“Economic pressure on both sides could push them closer to a compromise this time around,” said Yulia Shapovalova.
As Xi promises to defend the “correct view” of WWII and backs Putin’s line on “modern militarism,” it’s becoming harder for China to sit on the fence. This visit marks a critical turning point in the global alignment: Beijing and Moscow are preparing for a world where American influence is contested—not respected.
