China-Russia Summit: Leaders Show Their True Intentions: To Challenge ‘U.S.-led’ Intl Order

Editorial

15:21 JST, May 22, 2026

Less than a week after U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing, China has hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin — an unusual series of summits.

It is obvious that Chinese President Xi Jinping aimed to show off his increasing confidence in his country’s influence in the international community.

Xi and Putin have met in Beijing and compiled agreements, including a joint statement aimed at strengthening the strategic cooperative relationship between the two countries.

In the agreements, the two leaders declared — with the United States in mind — that attempts by certain countries to unilaterally control the world “have failed.” Xi also criticized the United States, stating that “unilateralism and hegemonism have brought severe harm.”

Xi had just staged a show of reconciliation with the United States, agreeing with Trump, who visited China for the first time in about 8½ years, to build a “constructive bilateral relationship of strategic stability.” It is nothing short of astonishing that he did a blatant about-face immediately afterward and joined Russia in launching a campaign to criticize the United States.

The Xi administration’s aim is likely to bring in not only Russia but also emerging and developing nations dissatisfied with the U.S.-led international order to create a new order favorable to China, while avoiding a decisive confrontation with the United States, which still surpasses China in military and economic power.

Xi and Putin agreed that the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran “breach international law.” Putin emphasized that China and Russia would abide by the U.N. Charter. Xi also stated that both countries will “work together to shape a more just and equitable global governance system.”

As far as official announcements, Xi did not criticize the U.S. attacks on Iran during his meeting with Trump. Nor has China accused Russia of aggression against Ukraine in violation of international law.

The discrepancy between China and Russia’s words and actions is too much to tolerate. It is true that the United States, through actions such as the attacks on Iran, is undermining the order based on the rule of law and free trade that it has built. However, it is hard to imagine that self-centered claims by the Chinese and Russian leaders will be widely accepted by the international community.

China supports the economy in Russia, which is subject to sanctions from the United States and European nations, by importing large quantities of Russian crude oil. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has lasted over four years, and Russia is exhausted. While it maintains the appearance of an equal relationship, China is strengthening its leading position over Russia.

It is utterly misguided for China and Russia to single out Japan and demand that Tokyo abandon its “accelerated remilitarization.” It is obvious to countries other than China and Russia that Japan’s strengthening of its defense capabilities is merely a response to repeated military provocations by China and Russia, which are threatening regional security.

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 22, 2026)