Putin's Delayed Birthday Greetings Reflect Xi's True Status

File Photo: Putin and Xi Jinping Posing for a Photograph

[People News] On June 19, both the Chinese Communist Party's Xinhua News Agency and the Russian news agency reported on the phone call between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin. The headline from the Chinese state media read 'Xi Jinping has a phone call with Russian President Putin,' while the Russian news agency's Chinese headline stated 'President Putin has held talks with Chairman Xi Jinping.' The term 'talks' is more formal than 'phone call.'

In terms of the conversation's content, the Chinese state media emphasised that both sides exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East,' highlighting the Chinese Communist Party's stance on the recent Israeli attacks on Iran. The Russian news agency also noted that both sides strongly condemned Israel's violation of the 'United Nations Charter.' However, despite China and Russia's emphasis on 'dialogue,' the need to 'uphold justice,' and their efforts to 'coordinate on the Iranian issue,' will Israel and the United States heed their calls? Can they continue to provide unrestrained support to Iran?

Nonetheless, this is just one aspect of the Xi-Putin discussions; the two sides also touched on other topics, including their next meeting. The Russian news agency reported that the next meeting between Putin and Xi Jinping is scheduled to take place at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in China from late August to early September this year. Following that, on September 2 (marking the 80th anniversary of China's victory in the War of Resistance against Japan), the two leaders will hold comprehensive talks in Beijing. In this regard, the Chinese state media did not mention a word. Given the changes within the upper echelons of the Chinese Communist Party, it remains uncertain who will meet with Putin at that time.

Interestingly, during their discussions, Putin took the time to wish Xi Jinping a happy birthday. In a news article released the same day by the Russian news agency TASS, titled 'Kremlin: Putin Congratulates Xi Jinping on His Birthday,' Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov remarked, 'At the end of the call, the President of Russia naturally extended warm birthday wishes to his Chinese counterpart and friend, Xi Jinping, on his recent birthday. It is well known that Xi Jinping turned 72 years old on June 15. In accordance with Chinese tradition, our President wishes his friend prosperity as vast as the East Sea and longevity as enduring as the South Mountain.'

Delivering birthday wishes in a timely manner demonstrates a leader's respect for another leader, particularly between Putin and Xi, who both emphasise their strong friendship. As noted by Chinese state media in the past, the current high level of Sino-Russian relations is 'dependent on the strategic leadership of the two heads of state.' 'In recent years, the two leaders have engaged in frequent interactions, travelling on high-speed trains together, attending football matches together, celebrating birthdays together, and creating numerous friendly anecdotes, thereby forging a deep personal friendship.' Thus, such a delayed birthday wish was entirely absent in previous years.

In past instances, Putin has consistently sent timely birthday wishes to Xi Jinping. For example, on June 15, 2023, the day Xi Jinping turned 70, Putin sent a congratulatory message wishing him a happy birthday.

On June 15, 2022, nearly four months after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Putin had a phone conversation with Xi Jinping and conveyed birthday wishes to him.

On Xi Jinping's 66th birthday in 2019, Vladimir Putin personally congratulated him. On that day, prior to attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting in Tajikistan, Putin visited the hotel where Xi was staying to celebrate his birthday. He presented Xi with Russian ice cream and a birthday cake inscribed with 'Six Six Great Smoothness.' In return, Xi Jinping gifted him Chinese tea.

On June 15, 2018, Xi Jinping had a phone conversation with Putin, who extended his birthday wishes.

On the same date in 2013, Xi also spoke with Putin, who congratulated him on his birthday.

It is evident that Putin and Xi could have had a conversation on June 15 this year to exchange birthday greetings. However, on June 14, the day before Xi's birthday, Putin chose to speak with U.S. President Donald Trump instead, wishing him a happy 79th birthday. Trump later expressed his happiness in a social media post. The timing of Putin's call is likely significant.

The next day, however, Putin deliberately overlooked his old friend Xi's birthday, only to mention it in a phone call a few days later. What message is being communicated externally? The author believes there are two key points:

1. Russia has long been aware of the shifts within Zhongnanhai and understands that Xi Jinping has lost power. To avoid interfering in the internal dynamics of the Chinese Communist Party, it is natural for Putin, as a national leader, not to send birthday greetings.

2. Given his personal relationship with Xi and Xi's previous strong support for Putin's invasion of Ukraine, Putin chose to send belated birthday wishes a few days later, wishing Xi Jinping longevity. This suggests that the 'little boat of friendship' does not easily capsize but is influenced by certain factors. Could his words of blessing also hint at serious health issues for Xi?

In summary, Putin did not extend his congratulations to Xi on his actual birthday; instead, he sent belated wishes. This sends a clear message that Xi Jinping's authority is waning, and he is merely a symbolic leader playing a role in the spotlight.

(First published by People News)