Vladimir Putin to arrive in Beijing for state visit hot on heels of Trump

Vladimir Putin is due to arrive in Beijing on Tuesday for a state visit, four days after Donald Trump left China. Putin’s visit to China – his 25th, according to Chinese state media – reflects Beijing’s growing confidence on the world stage as a centre of global diplomatic activity. It also underscores the deep relationship between Putin and China’s leader, Xi Jinping . The two men have met more than 40 times, far outstripping Xi’s encounters with any western leaders. …