Why didn't Xi meet with Putin at Yingtai in Zhongnanhai?

On the afternoon of May 16, 2024, Putin (front left) attended a concert in Beijing commemorating the 75th anniversary of China-Russia (Soviet) diplomatic relations. His gaze was unfocused on the performance, appearing deep in thought. Putin's body also leaned slightly away from Xi Jinping (front right, second from the right).

[People News] After attending the military parade of the Chinese Communist Party, Putin returned to Russia, but the discussions he left behind in China remain unresolved. For example, why did he talk about organ transplantation and longevity with Xi Jinping? Why was the reception from the Communist Party this time less warm than in previous years? Particularly noteworthy is that Xi, who has always considered Putin a 'good friend,' did not host him at Yingtai in Zhongnanhai as he did last year.

According to reports from the Communist Party's official media, the meeting between Putin and Xi on the morning of September 2 began with a formal session at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, followed by a small tea gathering and banquet at Zhongnanhai at noon. However, it is peculiar that the official media did not release any video of the small tea gathering at Zhongnanhai.

A video released by the Russian side shows the two having tea in a relatively well-appointed reception room. They were seated at a large table but kept a noticeable distance apart. Russian officials accompanying Putin, including Foreign Minister Lavrov, Defence Minister Shoigu, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Oreshkin, and Presidential Assistant Ushakov, along with Chinese officials such as Cai Qi and Wang Yi, were seated on either side of the table. In the video, as Putin and Xi took their seats, there was no interaction between them. Xi appeared to lack a smile and showed little enthusiasm.

In addition to the tea gathering video, the Russian side also released a video of the two walking and conversing after the gathering. The brief video, lasting less than a minute, shows the group walking along a red wall, with no lake visible around them. Xi still seemed disinterested, hardly speaking during the walk, while Putin exchanged a few words with the Chinese translator.

The video reveals that the meeting between Xi Jinping and Putin is not taking place at Xi's previous office location, Yingtai, but at a different venue.

Earlier, on the morning of August 26, Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan met with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath at Chunyi Hall in Zhongnanhai Fengzeyuan. In June of this year, during a meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Xi was also at Chunyi Hall, where he disclosed that his office is located right next door. Chunyi Hall, which used to be a theater, is quite a distance from Yingtai. Does this indicate that Xi has moved out of Yingtai?

If that is the case, it would explain why Xi cannot meet Putin at Yingtai. This suggests that the rumours regarding Xi's loss of power are not baseless; the relocation of Xi's office within Zhongnanhai implies that the true holder of supreme power is no longer Xi himself.

In May 2024, when Putin visits China, Xi and Putin held a small-scale meeting at Yingtai in Zhongnanhai. At that time, the Central Chinese Television (CCTV) provided a detailed account of the meeting.

The report began with, "In the early summer of Zhongnanhai, a gentle breeze blows, and the water sparkles," followed by Xi welcoming Putin in front of the Yingtai Bridge, where they embraced, and then the two leaders walked and talked. The video showed that Xi was very warm and talkative during that time.

After walking for a while, they arrived at Yingtai, where they sat by the water, enjoying tea while engaging in in-depth discussions on "strategic issues of mutual concern." Likewise, Xi appeared very relaxed, talkative, and enthusiastic.

Xi Jinping emphasised the importance of collaborating with countries like Russia to "strengthen unity and cooperation, guide global governance in the right direction, and jointly uphold international fairness and justice." Putin expressed his willingness to enhance cooperation with China and other nations in the "Global South," stating that they should "promote international fairness and justice and work towards establishing a more equal and multipolar world." The two leaders also engaged in a thorough discussion regarding the situation in Ukraine.

They shared a moment discussing the "deepening night and the dazzling lights" before waving goodbye, with the atmosphere appearing quite amicable. As they parted ways, Xi remarked, "I look forward to continuing our close communication with President Putin, ensuring we guide the development of China-Russia relations in the right direction and lead the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation between our countries towards a stable and prosperous future." Putin reciprocated, saying, "I always enjoy my meetings with President Xi Jinping. Our discussions are profound and meaningful. I wish to maintain close communication with President Xi to effectively implement the important consensus we have reached and ensure the comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and China continues to develop deeply."

However, over a year has passed since Xi and Putin last met, and this encounter lacked the high standards of previous receptions, the warmth of earlier meetings, the ease of past interactions, and even the heartfelt exchanges that characterised their relationship. Is Xi unwilling or unable to engage as before? If unwilling, could it be that the "Xi-Putin meeting" has displeased Beijing, leading to a deliberate cooling of relations? Might this also reflect poorly on Xi himself? If unable, has Xi lost power and is now compelled to follow orders?

It is evident that Putin, in this scenario, seems to be aware of the underlying circumstances and has cooperated more effectively, while Xi's performance appears somewhat lacking, possibly due to his inner turmoil.

(First published by People News) △