In 1689, two world powers met in the town of Nerschink in south-east SiberiaA northern region of Russia, known for its harsh winters. It has a long history as a place of exile for criminals and political prisoners.. Russia, based thousands of miles away in MoscowThe capital city of Russia. , was expanding eastwards. This brought it into conflict with China, the world's most ancient empire.

In the 17th Century, these cultures had little knowledge of each other. But three hundred years later, China and Russia have never been closer. 

China's Xi JinpingThe president of China, who has concentrated power and removed term limits allowing him to serve for life. calls it a "friendship without limits". And yesterday he visited Moscow to affirmConfirm something is true or reinforce an idea. this close relationship.

But the show of togetherness masked a big shift in the relationship between the states the two men represent.

The war in Ukraine means Russia is even more dependentRelying on someone or something. on its powerful neighbour. China provides more than 40% of all Russian imports, and it has kept the Russian war machine running by providing raw materials and computer chips.¹

And the two leaders also have quite different aims. Russia is hoping to use the visit to deepen the two countries' economic ties and export more gas to China.

Xi, however, has a wider aim: to prove that he is a global statesman, capable of bringing peace and stability.

If he can persuade Putin to reopen negotiations with Ukraine, he will be able to present himself as a peacemaker.

That is China's pitch to the world. The USA, it argues, has used its period of global leadership to divide the world and punish those it sees as its enemies. 

When China occupies the top spot, Xi claims, it will keep its nose out of other people's business, and get involved only to keep the peace.

Whether or not others will believe him is a different question. China may claim to be neutralNot supporting either side of an issue. in the Ukraine war, but behind the scenes it has backed Russia.

Yes: The Ukraine war has put Russia firmly in China's pocket, and it is occupying the will and resources of China's western rivals as well. Xi can be confident that his country is now in the driving seat.

No: Russia and China are both followed by accusations of massive human rightsThe basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world, from birth until death. They apply regardless of where you are from, what you believe or how you choose to live your life. Some have called for animals and even natural phenomena like rivers to have some form of human rights. abuses. Many around the world fear the idea of Chinese leadership. This weakens Xi's position.

Or... China claims to want to run things differently. No more military adventures, meddlingInterfering or getting involved with someone else's business. in the affairs of other countries or sanctionsEconomic measures designed to punish a country, for instance by excluding it from trade. on enemies. But in reality it might be more continuity than change.