Chinese President Xi Jinping gave Russian President Vladimir Putin a rare hug in front of cameras on May 16, sealing a vaunted ‘new era’ of strategic partnership between the two nations.
Although President Xi, in keeping with the tenets of China’s political culture, is not known for effusive displays of warmth, he gripped Putin by the shoulders and hugged him twice.
CCTV Footage from state the broadcaster showed the leaders embracing in the evening air of the Zhongnanhai leadership compound in the Chinese capital appeared to be popular on social media, with aides and officials clapping.
Russia, grappling with Western sanctions after its invasion of Ukraine, is increasingly reliant on its booming trade with China, which is challenging US supremacy in areas from quantum computing to espionage and hard military power.