Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday celebrated what they described as "unprecedentedly high" bilateral ties as leaders from Iran and North Korea arrived in Beijing for meetings and events that will culminate in a major military parade.
The gathering, held one day before a parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, reinforces a pattern of closer coordination among Moscow, Beijing and other states that have increasingly positioned themselves at odds with the United States and European governments since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Putin hailed Xi as a "dear friend" and told reporters the relationship between the two governments had reached an "unprecedentedly high" level. Chinese state media reported reciprocal praise from Xi as the pair met in Beijing in a show of diplomatic solidarity ahead of the parade.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who arrived in Beijing to attend meetings of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, met with Xi on Tuesday and criticized forthcoming United Nations sanctions aimed at Tehran's nuclear program. "The same countries that violated the [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action] JCPOA are now claiming that Iran is not fulfilling its commitments," Pezeshkian said in an interview with Chinese media, according to Iran International, calling the actions a "double standard."
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un also arrived in the Chinese capital. His visit, which follows a series of high-profile exchanges between Pyongyang and Beijing, was depicted in state and regional media as part of a tightening of ties between the two governments.
The meetings coincide with a broader diplomatic lineup in Beijing that reflects shifting fault lines in global politics. Since 2022, Moscow and Beijing have expanded cooperation in trade, defense and diplomatic coordination even as Western capitals have sought to isolate Russia over its military campaign in Ukraine. The arrival of leaders from Tehran and Pyongyang underscored Beijing's role as a convening power for states that have contentious relationships with Washington and Brussels.
Leaders and officials attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meetings have used the platform to air grievances with Western policy and to press for what they describe as more equitable treatment in international diplomacy. Iran's comments referenced the 2015 nuclear agreement, known as the JCPOA, and accused some signatories of failing to uphold earlier commitments.
Beijing's hosting of the leaders and the timing of the parade signal an intent to display unity and military readiness to domestic and international audiences. Officials in China have framed the celebrations as commemorations of historical wartime victory and national resilience, while foreign policy analysts say the convergence provides member states an opportunity to amplify mutual grievances with Western nations.
Chinese and Russian officials did not announce major new bilateral agreements during the publicized meetings on Tuesday. Diplomatic activity in the coming days, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization sessions and the scheduled parade, is likely to remain the focus of regional attention as leaders from across Eurasia and beyond gather in the Chinese capital.