Before we bring our live coverage of Putin's visit to China to a close, here's a quick summary of what's been going on.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's two-day trip, which aims to grow trade ties between the two countries, has been taking place amid growing warnings from the US to China against supporting Russia's military industrial base.
Putin has been visiting Harbin on day two of his visit, which is the capital of China's north-eastern Heilongjiang province, sharing a border with Russia
Addressing an industry forum, Putin focused on trade and has said the "inseparable" partnership between the two countries acts as a guarantor of energy security
The Russian president has also laid flowers at a memorial to Soviet soldiers who died during the liberation of north-east China from the Japanese in the 1940s
Ahead of the leaders' fourth meeting since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Putin said he would inform Xi about "the situation around the Ukrainian crisis"
The Chinese president has said Beijing and Moscow agreed there should be a "political solution" to the Russia-Ukraine war, but did not give any details. China's peace proposals unveiled last year have been criticised by both Kyiv and its Western allies
You can continue reading with our latest stories here:
Today's live page was written by Yvette Tam, Joao Da Silva, Nicole Ng, Ben Hatton and Nadia Ragozhina. The page was edited by Tessa Wong and Jack Burgess.
China walks diplomatic tightrope in friendship with Russia - analysts
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
As Beijing boosts its electric vehicle industry domestically, Moscow has become a top destination for petrol modelsImage caption: As Beijing boosts its electric vehicle industry domestically, Moscow has become a top destination for petrol models
China has been walking a diplomatic tightrope in balancing support for Russia while not antagonising countries in the West, some analysts say.
"China is trying to have its cake and eat it too," says Sergey Radchenko, a Soviet-born British historian at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
"It has been very careful to try to avoid [receiving] secondary sanctions from the US... But on the other hand, it also wants to help Russia. It doesn't want Russia to lose in the conflict [with Ukraine]. It doesn't want to throw Putin under the bus," Radchenko has said.
Stephen Hall, an assistant professor of Russian and post-Soviet politics at the University of Bath, believes China will continue sending components that could be used to build up Moscow's war machine.
"But they'll try to do it on the quiet and hope America doesn't pay too much attention, which seems to be what America is doing at the moment. So that certainly is a problem for Xi," Hall has says, before adding "it is a tightrope".
Analysis
You can see why Putin might like Harbin
Stephen McDonell
China correspondent
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
An aerial view of the Saint Sophia Cathedral in HarbinImage caption: An aerial view of the Saint Sophia Cathedral in Harbin
According
to Russian media reports, Vladimir Putin said today of Harbin, “This is my
first time here, and the city is truly impressive”, adding that he was struck
by the extent to which the historical part of town “preserved a Russian
feeling”.
And you
can see why he might like it. I can remember having a beer in the old central
shopping street in Vladivostok – across the border on the Russian side – and
saying to those I was with: “This reminds me of Harbin”.
The
part of North-east China which Russia’s leader is visiting was once dominated by
Russian residents before huge numbers left in the 1930s.
Right
up to the invasion of Ukraine Russian tourists were easy to spot there but
recently not so many. Chinese shopkeepers in Heilongjiang Province say their Russian
customers have fallen away because of the war and their neighbour’s struggling
economy.
So
Vladimir Putin is trying to prop up his war economy by selling more gas to
China to make up for the markets Gazprom has lost in Europe, as punishment for
his military adventure.
In
Harbin today, Russia’s leader – with his salesman hat on – reportedly said that
“Russia's strategic alliance with
China in the energy sector will strengthen further” and that this would
“guarantee energy security” for China.
The problem is that,
beyond fossil fuels and other raw materials, there is not a lot more which
Russia produces that China really wants.
You can compare this to, say, the US
which is holding back a lot of stuff that Chinese companies are desperate to
get their hands on.
What does Putin want from China?
Frances Mao
Live reporter
The main thing Putin wants is for China to reaffirm its support - particularly economic support - for Russia as it continues to deal with Western sanctions, say analysts.
He wants assurances that China will continue to send through manufacturing equipment and technology, things like machine tools, silicon chips, even cars. Imports from China have become critical for Russia's wartime economy.
Analysts say he may also push for progress on the stalled gas pipeline proposal from Russia to China - known as the Power of Siberia II pipeline. China already buys gas and oil from Russia.
"There is mutual dependence but Russian elites rely on the rents from oil and gas to a very great degree," says Natasha Kuhrt from Kings College London. "So Russia is very likely more dependent on China than vice versa. Russia has no real allies."
EPACopyright: EPA
China has not supplied Russia with weapons but is accused of supporting Moscow's defence industryImage caption: China has not supplied Russia with weapons but is accused of supporting Moscow's defence industry
It's clear that China has become a key economic lifeline for Russia. The nations' two-way trade increased 26% last year and Russia is now China's sixth-largest trade partner.
But there are signs that China is looking to moderate this, particularly under pressure from Europe and the US.
Official Chinese customs data showed China's outbound shipments to Russia were down 10% in April and 13% in March from the previous year.
Chinese banks have also been rejecting transactions with Russian importers and are reportedly tightening their requirements due to the threat of the US sanctions.
Analysis
Russia-China trade has hit stumbling blocks recently
Evgeny Pudovkin
BBC Monitoring
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
While trade between
Russia and China has grown every year since 2021, it has hit stumbling blocks
over recent months.
Against the
backdrop of intensifying sanctions pressure, China's exports to Russia slumped
by almost 16% year-on-year in March, the first decline since mid-2022. The
decline continued in April, with Chinese exports down 13% year-on-year.
Russian business
media attribute the slump to Chinese banks refusing to process Russian payments
for Chinese goods over fears of secondary sanctions from the US.
The problem is
particularly acute for those Russian companies that use Chinese components to
assemble complex electronic goods.
The payment
difficulties began after the imposition of US sanctions in December 2023 and
worsened in March this year, with around 80% of all payment settlements from
Russia to China bouncing at one point, according to pro-Kremlin business daily
Izvestia.
The Kremlin said it
was aware of the problems and was looking for ways to solve them together with
China. Russia's central bank was also reportedly negotiating with China to resolve
the situation, privately owned business daily Kommersant has reported.
Russian analysts
and media expect the payments issue to be one of the key topics to be discussed
during Putin's visit to China.
What does Chinese President Xi Jinping want from Russia?
Frances Mao
Live reporter
SPUTNIK/KREMLINCopyright: SPUTNIK/KREMLIN
For China, their main concern is Ukraine. Xi Jinping wants to know what Russian President Vladimir Putin's strategy is and they've been concerned by his nuclear threats.
"We expect Xi will be firm (as he was previously) that any - even limited - use of tactical nuclear weapons by Russia will be a red line for Beijing," says Philipp Ivanov from the Asia Society Policy Institute.
China has attempted to maintain a stance of studied neutrality on the war in Ukraine - it's clear Beijing is also hedging its bets if Russia loses.
But it does view the war almost as a proxy war, says Natasha Kuhrt from King's College London. "In a sense Russia fights western hegemonism on China’s behalf," she adds.
Beyond Ukraine, analysts say China also cares about:
North Korea: Putin has very publicly fostered closer ties with the country's leader Kim Jong Un and is using North Korean weapons on the battlefield. China will want to make sure Russia is still restrained in what type of military tech it is giving the North Koreans, analysts say
UN and security: China benefits from Russian diplomatic experience at the UN and Russia’s role as a security provider in Central Asia
Analysis
A growing trade relationship but threat of US sanctions looms
Stephen McDonell
China correspondent
It’s clear why the Chinese city of Harbin would’ve been chosen for Vladimir Putin to visit.
It was once dominated by Russian citizens and features classic Russian architecture, including its famous Orthodox cathedral.
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
The Saint Sophia Cathedral is a Russian Orthodox Church built in Harbin in 1907Image caption: The Saint Sophia Cathedral is a Russian Orthodox Church built in Harbin in 1907
By
traversing these historic streets – where Russian and Chinese cultures now come
together – you’re sending a message about the longevity of links between the
two countries.
Yet, by
emphasising the business potential which exists along this border region you
are also, indirectly, emphasising that these neighbours have not been
interacting economically in the past to the extent that they should have.
Russian
trade with China more than doubled in the years leading up to 2023 but, again,
this – in a way – shows it was coming off a low base.
Beijing has already been criticised in Washington for supplying Russia with dual use
components which are crucial for its manufacture of tanks, missiles and drones.
This week the state department went further, accusing Xi Jinping’s administration of
rebuilding Russia’s military industrial base, threatening “appropriate action”
in response.
This
threat likely means third-party sanctions, and that has scared off many Chinese
companies from having greater dealings with Russia for fear of being cut off
from the much more important US market.
What's been happening?
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
The Russian president has been out and about in Harbin today - he's pictured here laying flowers at a memorial to Soviet soldiersImage caption: The Russian president has been out and about in Harbin today - he's pictured here laying flowers at a memorial to Soviet soldiers
Russian President Vladimir Putin is on the second day of his trip to China, visiting Harbin - the capital of China's north-eastern Heilongjiang province, which shares a border with Russia.
Here's what's been happening:
On day two, Putin's focus is on trade and how he can support Russia's war-time economy
The Russian president has delivered the opening address at the Russia-China Expo, in Harbin, and says the energy ties between the two countries will continue to grow. Putin has also said the Russia-China alliance acts as a guarantor of energy security and enhanced well-being between the two countries
Putin has also been laying flowers at a memorial to Soviet soldiers in Harbin, who died during the liberation of north-east China from the Japanese in the 1940s
While Putin is in China, Moscow's top energy official has said Russia is hoping to see significant progress towards finalising an agreement on the "Power of Siberia 2" project, which would allow Russia to deliver natural gas to China via Mongolia
Before arriving in Harbin, Putin was hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping in Zhongnanhai - a compound where China's leaders work and reside and which is reserved only for China's closest allies
Putin arrived in Beijing early on Thursday in what is his first state visit overseas since winning his fifth term in office last March, an election that was widely criticised by the West as undemocratic
Putin describes Russia-China partnership as 'inseparable'
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
We can bring you more now from Putin’s speech to the Russia-China Expo a little earlier.
According to the Reuters news agency, the Russian president said his country has an “inseparable” partnership with China that will create new industries and “well-paid” jobs.
Putin has said “large-scale mutual projects” are underway, saying Chinese carmakers have entered the Russian market, and plans to build long-range aircraft and helicopters are moving forward, Reuters reports.
And the Russian president has also said his country welcomes and is ready to provide support to Chinese businesses setting up production in Russia.
As we reported earlier, Putin also told the trade forum that the two countries' alliance acts as a guarantor for energy security.
Russia's growing trade with China
.Copyright: .
Trade and economic co-operation is the theme of President Putin's second day of his visit to China.
Beijing has become a vital partner for Moscow, as it seeks to soften the impact of sanctions imposed by the US and other countries.
China has repeatedly denied allegations that it supplies Russia with weapons.
In an interview with BBC News, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said: "What's not happening is the provision of actual arms by China to Russia for use in Ukraine."
However, China has been accused of building up Moscow's war machine by providing critical components.
Blinken has said: "Those are being used to help Russia on what's an extraordinary crash course effort to make more munitions, tanks, armoured vehicles, missiles."
About 70% of the machine tools and 90% of the microelectronics Russia imports come from China, he added.
Beijing exports more than $300m (£237m), external worth of dual-use items - those with both commercial and military applications - to Russia every month, according to an analysis of Chinese customs data by the Carnegie Endowment think tank.
It says the list includes what the US has designated as "high priority" items, which are necessary for making weapons, from drones to tanks.
Beijing has also become Moscow's key supplier of cars, clothing, raw materials and many other products, after Western countries imposed sanctions on Russia.
Trade between China and Russia reached a record $240bn (£191bn) in 2023, up more than 64% since 2021 - before Russia's invasion of Ukraine - according to official figures from China.
Russia-China alliance acts as guarantor of energy security - Putin
Joao Da Silva
Business reporter
Vladimir Putin has continued to focus on the energy ties between Russia and China as he addressed the trade forum in Harbin.
He says their alliance acts as a guarantor of energy security and enhances the well-being of the two countries.
Putin has also stressed the potential for co-operation between the neighbouring regions of Russia and China.
'China's MIT' readies for Putin visit
Fan Wang
Live reporter
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Today Putin is visiting Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), one of China's top science and engineering universities.
It was first established in 1920 and at that time, all of its courses were taught in Russian and followed the Russian education model.
These days HIT is known as "China's MIT". It's also known as China's “cradle of engineers” and one of the country's "Seven Sons of National Defence" institutes for students who want to enter the defence industry.
It was sanctioned by the US government in 2020 and added to Washington's blacklist amid the US-China tech war.
On social media, many HIT students have expressed excitement about Putin's visit, though some are none too happy about the intensified security measures on campus.
"I want to go and see him but my building was put under lockdown," one student wrote on Xiaohongshu, an Instagram-like platform. "My lunch delivery order has just been rejected," another one said.
Putin: Russia 'ready to supply' China with clean energy
RTCopyright: RT
Russian state media released a picture of Putin speaking at the expoImage caption: Russian state media released a picture of Putin speaking at the expo
Putin has now moved on to the Russia-China Expo where he has delivered the opening address.
He said energy ties between the two countries would continue to grow, and that his country was ready to supply China with clean energy, according to Reuters news agency.
Moscow is hoping for progress towards signing a deal on the “Power of Siberia 2” pipeline project which would supply China with Russian natural gas.
We'll bring you more lines from his speech as we get them.
Putin lays flowers at memorial for Soviet soldiers
APCopyright: AP
We've just seen some fresh footage of Putin out and about in Harbin. The first stop on his schedule is a memorial to Soviet soldiers who died during the liberation of north-east China from the Japanese in the 1940s.
The footage shows Putin laying a bouquet of red flowers on the memorial.
APCopyright: AP
APCopyright: AP
Putin focusing on trade on day 2
On the second day of his trip, Putin’s focus is on trade and how it can give his country’s wartime economy some much needed support.
As the guest of honour at the Russia-China trade expo, Putin is expected to deliver the opening address.
Trade between Russia and China has soared to a record $240bn (£191bn) in 2023, as other powers rushed to cut ties with Moscow following the invasion of Ukraine.
There’s a sizeable trade delegation travelling with Putin, including Finance Minister Anton Siluanov and Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina.
Executives from some of Russia’s largest banks and energy companies are also there, including Sberbank CEO German Gref, businessman Oleg Deripaska, VTB chief Andrei Kostin, Rosneft chief Igor Sechin and Novatek boss Leonid Mikhelson.
Rosneft chief Igor Sechin (right) and VEB Corporation director Igor Shuvalov (left) are among several Russian top executives in ChinaImage caption: Rosneft chief Igor Sechin (right) and VEB Corporation director Igor Shuvalov (left) are among several Russian top executives in China
Russia wants progress on gas deal with China
Moscow’s top energy official, Alexander Novak, has said the
Kremlin would like to see significant progress toward finalising an agreement
on the “Power of Siberia 2” project.
Speaking on Russian state-owned television Rossiya 1 yesterday, Novak said the
plan was to sign the contract for the strategic pipeline “in the near future”.
The plan, which was first agreed between the two countries
in 2014, would allow Russia to deliver natural gas to North China via Mongolia,
using a pipeline with a capacity of 50bn cubic metres.
The major infrastructure project is an important step in
Russia’s efforts to redirect natural gas supplies that used to go to Europe, but which were stopped by European countries following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
WATCH: What do ordinary Chinese think of Putin's visit?
On the streets of Beijing, Chinese people had varying views on Putin's visit and China's relationship with Russia.
One woman said she didn’t think closer relations with Russia was a “good thing”. But others were hopeful that relations would remain friendly and “cooperative”.
Video content
Video caption: Watch: Beijing residents reflect on Putin’s visitWatch: Beijing residents reflect on Putin’s visit
Trump says Putin and Xi 'getting together to do damage'
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
In the last few hours, former US President Donald Trump has accused Xi and Putin of planning to "do damage".
Speaking to reporters in New York, following a day in court for his hush-money trial, Trump said: "President Xi of China, I know him well, and President Putin of Russia, I know him well.
"They're right now, together working on plans, where they combine, where they get together and do damage because that's ultimately what they're thinking about, doing damage."
During his time in office, Trump had a tumultuous relationship with Xi. He had hosted the Chinese leader at his Mar-a-Lago resort in 2017 and trumpeted their "outstanding" relationship, but in later years Trump called Xi an "enemy".
Meanwhile Trump's relations with Putin had always been frosty.
China hits back at US during Putin visit
While Putin was hosted by Xi yesterday, China also took the opportunity to hit back at the US, which alleges Beijing is aiding Russia in its war on Ukraine.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin accused the US of being "hypocritical and irresponsible" for accusing China of exporting dual-use materials that could help Russia's weapon production.
Beijing has taken issue with Washington supplying weapons to Ukraine.
Speaking at a daily press conference on Thursday afternoon, Wang insisted that China handles the export of military products "in a prudent and responsible way".
He added that blaming China will "not end the crisis, nor will it get the US out of its tricky situation".
"What has happened shows that those who fuel the flames will only get bogged down deeper and deeper in it, and political settlement is the only right way forward to end the Ukraine crisis," he said.
EPACopyright: EPA
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang WenbinImage caption: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin
Early morning arrival in Harbin for Putin
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
After a long day of meetings in Beijing yesterday, Putin flew to Harbin several hours ago where he was greeted by local officials. State media reported he arrived "before dawn".
Putin's schedule today in the north-eastern Chinese city includes the opening ceremony of the 8th Russia-China Expo and the Russian-Chinese Forum on Interregional Cooperation.
He is expected to lay a wreath at a memorial to Soviet soldiers and the Harbin Institute of Technology, also known as the "MIT of China".
Live Reporting
Edited by Jack Burgess
All times stated are UK
ReutersCopyright: Reuters -
Putin has been visiting Harbin on day two of his visit, which is the capital of China's north-eastern Heilongjiang province, sharing a border with Russia
-
Addressing an industry forum, Putin focused on trade and has said the "inseparable" partnership between the two countries acts as a guarantor of energy security
-
The Russian president has also laid flowers at a memorial to Soviet soldiers who died during the liberation of north-east China from the Japanese in the 1940s
-
Ahead of the leaders' fourth meeting since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Putin said he would inform Xi about "the situation around the Ukrainian crisis"
-
The Chinese president has said Beijing and Moscow agreed there should be a "political solution" to the Russia-Ukraine war, but did not give any details. China's peace proposals unveiled last year have been criticised by both Kyiv and its Western allies
ReutersCopyright: Reuters As Beijing boosts its electric vehicle industry domestically, Moscow has become a top destination for petrol modelsImage caption: As Beijing boosts its electric vehicle industry domestically, Moscow has become a top destination for petrol models Analysis
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images An aerial view of the Saint Sophia Cathedral in HarbinImage caption: An aerial view of the Saint Sophia Cathedral in Harbin 
EPACopyright: EPA China has not supplied Russia with weapons but is accused of supporting Moscow's defence industryImage caption: China has not supplied Russia with weapons but is accused of supporting Moscow's defence industry Analysis
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images 
SPUTNIK/KREMLINCopyright: SPUTNIK/KREMLIN - North Korea: Putin has very publicly fostered closer ties with the country's leader Kim Jong Un and is using North Korean weapons on the battlefield. China will want to make sure Russia is still restrained in what type of military tech it is giving the North Koreans, analysts say
- UN and security: China benefits from Russian diplomatic experience at the UN and Russia’s role as a security provider in Central Asia
Analysis
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images The Saint Sophia Cathedral is a Russian Orthodox Church built in Harbin in 1907Image caption: The Saint Sophia Cathedral is a Russian Orthodox Church built in Harbin in 1907 
ReutersCopyright: Reuters The Russian president has been out and about in Harbin today - he's pictured here laying flowers at a memorial to Soviet soldiersImage caption: The Russian president has been out and about in Harbin today - he's pictured here laying flowers at a memorial to Soviet soldiers -
On day two, Putin's focus is on trade and how he can support Russia's war-time economy
-
The Russian president has delivered the opening address at the Russia-China Expo, in Harbin, and says the energy ties between the two countries will continue to grow. Putin has also said the Russia-China alliance acts as a guarantor of energy security and enhanced well-being between the two countries
-
Putin has also been laying flowers at a memorial to Soviet soldiers in Harbin, who died during the liberation of north-east China from the Japanese in the 1940s
-
While Putin is in China, Moscow's top energy official has said Russia is hoping to see significant progress towards finalising an agreement on the "Power of Siberia 2" project, which would allow Russia to deliver natural gas to China via Mongolia
-
Before arriving in Harbin, Putin was hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping in Zhongnanhai - a compound where China's leaders work and reside and which is reserved only for China's closest allies
-
Putin arrived in Beijing early on Thursday in what is his first state visit overseas since winning his fifth term in office last March, an election that was widely criticised by the West as undemocratic
ReutersCopyright: Reuters 
.Copyright: . 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images 
RTCopyright: RT Russian state media released a picture of Putin speaking at the expoImage caption: Russian state media released a picture of Putin speaking at the expo 
APCopyright: AP 
APCopyright: AP 
APCopyright: AP 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images Rosneft chief Igor Sechin (right) and VEB Corporation director Igor Shuvalov (left) are among several Russian top executives in ChinaImage caption: Rosneft chief Igor Sechin (right) and VEB Corporation director Igor Shuvalov (left) are among several Russian top executives in China Video caption: Watch: Beijing residents reflect on Putin’s visitWatch: Beijing residents reflect on Putin’s visit 
ReutersCopyright: Reuters 
EPACopyright: EPA Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang WenbinImage caption: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin 
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Latest PostWe're about to close our live page
Jack Burgess
Live editor
Before we bring our live coverage of Putin's visit to China to a close, here's a quick summary of what's been going on.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's two-day trip, which aims to grow trade ties between the two countries, has been taking place amid growing warnings from the US to China against supporting Russia's military industrial base.
You can continue reading with our latest stories here:
How is China supporting Russia after it was sanctioned for Ukraine war?
What is Xi Jinping prepared to pay for Putin's war?
Today's live page was written by Yvette Tam, Joao Da Silva, Nicole Ng, Ben Hatton and Nadia Ragozhina. The page was edited by Tessa Wong and Jack Burgess.
China walks diplomatic tightrope in friendship with Russia - analysts
China has been walking a diplomatic tightrope in balancing support for Russia while not antagonising countries in the West, some analysts say.
"China is trying to have its cake and eat it too," says Sergey Radchenko, a Soviet-born British historian at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
"It has been very careful to try to avoid [receiving] secondary sanctions from the US... But on the other hand, it also wants to help Russia. It doesn't want Russia to lose in the conflict [with Ukraine]. It doesn't want to throw Putin under the bus," Radchenko has said.
Stephen Hall, an assistant professor of Russian and post-Soviet politics at the University of Bath, believes China will continue sending components that could be used to build up Moscow's war machine.
"But they'll try to do it on the quiet and hope America doesn't pay too much attention, which seems to be what America is doing at the moment. So that certainly is a problem for Xi," Hall has says, before adding "it is a tightrope".
You can see why Putin might like Harbin
Stephen McDonell
China correspondent
According to Russian media reports, Vladimir Putin said today of Harbin, “This is my first time here, and the city is truly impressive”, adding that he was struck by the extent to which the historical part of town “preserved a Russian feeling”.
And you can see why he might like it. I can remember having a beer in the old central shopping street in Vladivostok – across the border on the Russian side – and saying to those I was with: “This reminds me of Harbin”.
The part of North-east China which Russia’s leader is visiting was once dominated by Russian residents before huge numbers left in the 1930s.
Right up to the invasion of Ukraine Russian tourists were easy to spot there but recently not so many. Chinese shopkeepers in Heilongjiang Province say their Russian customers have fallen away because of the war and their neighbour’s struggling economy.
So Vladimir Putin is trying to prop up his war economy by selling more gas to China to make up for the markets Gazprom has lost in Europe, as punishment for his military adventure.
In Harbin today, Russia’s leader – with his salesman hat on – reportedly said that “Russia's strategic alliance with China in the energy sector will strengthen further” and that this would “guarantee energy security” for China.
The problem is that, beyond fossil fuels and other raw materials, there is not a lot more which Russia produces that China really wants.
You can compare this to, say, the US which is holding back a lot of stuff that Chinese companies are desperate to get their hands on.
What does Putin want from China?
Frances Mao
Live reporter
The main thing Putin wants is for China to reaffirm its support - particularly economic support - for Russia as it continues to deal with Western sanctions, say analysts.
He wants assurances that China will continue to send through manufacturing equipment and technology, things like machine tools, silicon chips, even cars. Imports from China have become critical for Russia's wartime economy.
Analysts say he may also push for progress on the stalled gas pipeline proposal from Russia to China - known as the Power of Siberia II pipeline. China already buys gas and oil from Russia.
"There is mutual dependence but Russian elites rely on the rents from oil and gas to a very great degree," says Natasha Kuhrt from Kings College London. "So Russia is very likely more dependent on China than vice versa. Russia has no real allies."
It's clear that China has become a key economic lifeline for Russia. The nations' two-way trade increased 26% last year and Russia is now China's sixth-largest trade partner.
But there are signs that China is looking to moderate this, particularly under pressure from Europe and the US.
Official Chinese customs data showed China's outbound shipments to Russia were down 10% in April and 13% in March from the previous year.
Chinese banks have also been rejecting transactions with Russian importers and are reportedly tightening their requirements due to the threat of the US sanctions.
Russia-China trade has hit stumbling blocks recently
Evgeny Pudovkin
BBC Monitoring
While trade between Russia and China has grown every year since 2021, it has hit stumbling blocks over recent months.
Against the backdrop of intensifying sanctions pressure, China's exports to Russia slumped by almost 16% year-on-year in March, the first decline since mid-2022. The decline continued in April, with Chinese exports down 13% year-on-year.
Russian business media attribute the slump to Chinese banks refusing to process Russian payments for Chinese goods over fears of secondary sanctions from the US.
The problem is particularly acute for those Russian companies that use Chinese components to assemble complex electronic goods.
The payment difficulties began after the imposition of US sanctions in December 2023 and worsened in March this year, with around 80% of all payment settlements from Russia to China bouncing at one point, according to pro-Kremlin business daily Izvestia.
The Kremlin said it was aware of the problems and was looking for ways to solve them together with China. Russia's central bank was also reportedly negotiating with China to resolve the situation, privately owned business daily Kommersant has reported.
Russian analysts and media expect the payments issue to be one of the key topics to be discussed during Putin's visit to China.
What does Chinese President Xi Jinping want from Russia?
Frances Mao
Live reporter
For China, their main concern is Ukraine. Xi Jinping wants to know what Russian President Vladimir Putin's strategy is and they've been concerned by his nuclear threats.
"We expect Xi will be firm (as he was previously) that any - even limited - use of tactical nuclear weapons by Russia will be a red line for Beijing," says Philipp Ivanov from the Asia Society Policy Institute.
China has attempted to maintain a stance of studied neutrality on the war in Ukraine - it's clear Beijing is also hedging its bets if Russia loses.
But it does view the war almost as a proxy war, says Natasha Kuhrt from King's College London. "In a sense Russia fights western hegemonism on China’s behalf," she adds.
Beyond Ukraine, analysts say China also cares about:
A growing trade relationship but threat of US sanctions looms
Stephen McDonell
China correspondent
It’s clear why the Chinese city of Harbin would’ve been chosen for Vladimir Putin to visit.
It was once dominated by Russian citizens and features classic Russian architecture, including its famous Orthodox cathedral.
By traversing these historic streets – where Russian and Chinese cultures now come together – you’re sending a message about the longevity of links between the two countries.
Yet, by emphasising the business potential which exists along this border region you are also, indirectly, emphasising that these neighbours have not been interacting economically in the past to the extent that they should have.
Russian trade with China more than doubled in the years leading up to 2023 but, again, this – in a way – shows it was coming off a low base.
Beijing has already been criticised in Washington for supplying Russia with dual use components which are crucial for its manufacture of tanks, missiles and drones.
This week the state department went further, accusing Xi Jinping’s administration of rebuilding Russia’s military industrial base, threatening “appropriate action” in response.
This threat likely means third-party sanctions, and that has scared off many Chinese companies from having greater dealings with Russia for fear of being cut off from the much more important US market.
What's been happening?
Russian President Vladimir Putin is on the second day of his trip to China, visiting Harbin - the capital of China's north-eastern Heilongjiang province, which shares a border with Russia.
Here's what's been happening:
Putin describes Russia-China partnership as 'inseparable'
We can bring you more now from Putin’s speech to the Russia-China Expo a little earlier.
According to the Reuters news agency, the Russian president said his country has an “inseparable” partnership with China that will create new industries and “well-paid” jobs.
Putin has said “large-scale mutual projects” are underway, saying Chinese carmakers have entered the Russian market, and plans to build long-range aircraft and helicopters are moving forward, Reuters reports.
And the Russian president has also said his country welcomes and is ready to provide support to Chinese businesses setting up production in Russia.
As we reported earlier, Putin also told the trade forum that the two countries' alliance acts as a guarantor for energy security.
Russia's growing trade with China
Trade and economic co-operation is the theme of President Putin's second day of his visit to China.
Beijing has become a vital partner for Moscow, as it seeks to soften the impact of sanctions imposed by the US and other countries.
China has repeatedly denied allegations that it supplies Russia with weapons.
In an interview with BBC News, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said: "What's not happening is the provision of actual arms by China to Russia for use in Ukraine."
However, China has been accused of building up Moscow's war machine by providing critical components.
Blinken has said: "Those are being used to help Russia on what's an extraordinary crash course effort to make more munitions, tanks, armoured vehicles, missiles."
About 70% of the machine tools and 90% of the microelectronics Russia imports come from China, he added.
Beijing exports more than $300m (£237m), external worth of dual-use items - those with both commercial and military applications - to Russia every month, according to an analysis of Chinese customs data by the Carnegie Endowment think tank.
It says the list includes what the US has designated as "high priority" items, which are necessary for making weapons, from drones to tanks.
RUSI, a UK-based think tank has also cautioned about the potential use of Chinese satellite technology, external for intelligence on Ukraine's front line.
Beijing has also become Moscow's key supplier of cars, clothing, raw materials and many other products, after Western countries imposed sanctions on Russia.
Trade between China and Russia reached a record $240bn (£191bn) in 2023, up more than 64% since 2021 - before Russia's invasion of Ukraine - according to official figures from China.
Russia-China alliance acts as guarantor of energy security - Putin
Joao Da Silva
Business reporter
Vladimir Putin has continued to focus on the energy ties between Russia and China as he addressed the trade forum in Harbin.
He says their alliance acts as a guarantor of energy security and enhances the well-being of the two countries.
Putin has also stressed the potential for co-operation between the neighbouring regions of Russia and China.
'China's MIT' readies for Putin visit
Fan Wang
Live reporter
Today Putin is visiting Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), one of China's top science and engineering universities.
It was first established in 1920 and at that time, all of its courses were taught in Russian and followed the Russian education model.
These days HIT is known as "China's MIT". It's also known as China's “cradle of engineers” and one of the country's "Seven Sons of National Defence" institutes for students who want to enter the defence industry.
It was sanctioned by the US government in 2020 and added to Washington's blacklist amid the US-China tech war.
On social media, many HIT students have expressed excitement about Putin's visit, though some are none too happy about the intensified security measures on campus.
"I want to go and see him but my building was put under lockdown," one student wrote on Xiaohongshu, an Instagram-like platform. "My lunch delivery order has just been rejected," another one said.
Putin: Russia 'ready to supply' China with clean energy
Putin has now moved on to the Russia-China Expo where he has delivered the opening address.
He said energy ties between the two countries would continue to grow, and that his country was ready to supply China with clean energy, according to Reuters news agency.
Moscow is hoping for progress towards signing a deal on the “Power of Siberia 2” pipeline project which would supply China with Russian natural gas.
We'll bring you more lines from his speech as we get them.
Putin lays flowers at memorial for Soviet soldiers
We've just seen some fresh footage of Putin out and about in Harbin. The first stop on his schedule is a memorial to Soviet soldiers who died during the liberation of north-east China from the Japanese in the 1940s.
The footage shows Putin laying a bouquet of red flowers on the memorial.
Putin focusing on trade on day 2
On the second day of his trip, Putin’s focus is on trade and how it can give his country’s wartime economy some much needed support.
As the guest of honour at the Russia-China trade expo, Putin is expected to deliver the opening address.
Trade between Russia and China has soared to a record $240bn (£191bn) in 2023, as other powers rushed to cut ties with Moscow following the invasion of Ukraine.
There’s a sizeable trade delegation travelling with Putin, including Finance Minister Anton Siluanov and Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina.
Executives from some of Russia’s largest banks and energy companies are also there, including Sberbank CEO German Gref, businessman Oleg Deripaska, VTB chief Andrei Kostin, Rosneft chief Igor Sechin and Novatek boss Leonid Mikhelson.
You can read more about the Russia-China trade relationship here.
Russia wants progress on gas deal with China
Moscow’s top energy official, Alexander Novak, has said the Kremlin would like to see significant progress toward finalising an agreement on the “Power of Siberia 2” project.
Speaking on Russian state-owned television Rossiya 1 yesterday, Novak said the plan was to sign the contract for the strategic pipeline “in the near future”.
The plan, which was first agreed between the two countries in 2014, would allow Russia to deliver natural gas to North China via Mongolia, using a pipeline with a capacity of 50bn cubic metres.
The major infrastructure project is an important step in Russia’s efforts to redirect natural gas supplies that used to go to Europe, but which were stopped by European countries following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
WATCH: What do ordinary Chinese think of Putin's visit?
On the streets of Beijing, Chinese people had varying views on Putin's visit and China's relationship with Russia.
One woman said she didn’t think closer relations with Russia was a “good thing”. But others were hopeful that relations would remain friendly and “cooperative”.
Video content
Trump says Putin and Xi 'getting together to do damage'
In the last few hours, former US President Donald Trump has accused Xi and Putin of planning to "do damage".
Speaking to reporters in New York, following a day in court for his hush-money trial, Trump said: "President Xi of China, I know him well, and President Putin of Russia, I know him well.
"They're right now, together working on plans, where they combine, where they get together and do damage because that's ultimately what they're thinking about, doing damage."
During his time in office, Trump had a tumultuous relationship with Xi. He had hosted the Chinese leader at his Mar-a-Lago resort in 2017 and trumpeted their "outstanding" relationship, but in later years Trump called Xi an "enemy".
Meanwhile Trump's relations with Putin had always been frosty.
China hits back at US during Putin visit
While Putin was hosted by Xi yesterday, China also took the opportunity to hit back at the US, which alleges Beijing is aiding Russia in its war on Ukraine.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin accused the US of being "hypocritical and irresponsible" for accusing China of exporting dual-use materials that could help Russia's weapon production.
Beijing has taken issue with Washington supplying weapons to Ukraine.
Speaking at a daily press conference on Thursday afternoon, Wang insisted that China handles the export of military products "in a prudent and responsible way".
He added that blaming China will "not end the crisis, nor will it get the US out of its tricky situation".
"What has happened shows that those who fuel the flames will only get bogged down deeper and deeper in it, and political settlement is the only right way forward to end the Ukraine crisis," he said.
Early morning arrival in Harbin for Putin
After a long day of meetings in Beijing yesterday, Putin flew to Harbin several hours ago where he was greeted by local officials. State media reported he arrived "before dawn".
Putin's schedule today in the north-eastern Chinese city includes the opening ceremony of the 8th Russia-China Expo and the Russian-Chinese Forum on Interregional Cooperation.
He is expected to lay a wreath at a memorial to Soviet soldiers and the Harbin Institute of Technology, also known as the "MIT of China".