Two superpowers, one capital: Beijing walks a diplomatic tightrope between Trump and Putin

Vladimir Putin recently visited Beijing to strengthen ties with China, underscoring a growing alignment between the two powers. This summit occurs within a complex geopolitical landscape where Beijing continues to navigate its relationship with the United States, influenced by the lingering effects of previous administrations. China intensified engagement with Russia is driven by a desire to counter Western influence and foster a multipolar world order, providing Moscow with crucial economic and diplomatic support amid Western sanctions. Simultaneously, Beijing seeks to manage its critical economic relationship with Washington, which remains essential despite past tensions and ongoing competition for technological supremacy and regional influence.