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China Gives Putin Warm Welcome, Condemns Trump's Missile Defense

5/23/2026

27 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

China staged similar red-carpet welcomes for President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin, yet a senior Politburo official greeted Putin, signaling Beijing’s preference for Moscow.
President Trump called the Beijing talks historic, but analysts said they yielded few tangible agreements.
Xi Jinping and Putin signed a statement condemning Trump’s $175 billion “Golden Dome” missile-defense plan and praising a multipolar world.

History

Historical Context

Nixon’s February 21-28 1972 visit—America’s first presidential trip to the People’s Republic of China after 23 years of no ties—produced the Shanghai Communiqué and shifted Cold-War balance by exploiting the Sino-Soviet split. Today Beijing’s red-carpet welcomes Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, echoing Nixon’s choreography to signal a strategic tilt toward Moscow over Washington.

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Story summary

China staged similar red-carpet welcomes for President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin, yet a senior Politburo official greeted Putin, signaling Beijing’s preference for Moscow.
President Trump called the Beijing talks historic, but analysts said they yielded few tangible agreements.
Xi Jinping and Putin signed a statement condemning Trump’s $175 billion “Golden Dome” missile-defense plan and praising a multipolar world.

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