Only a few days after welcoming Donald Trump, Xi Jinping is hosting Vladimir Putin in Beijing, highlighting China’s growing diplomatic influence amid global instability. Xi and Putin are expected to discuss the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as cooperation on energy, trade and security. Both nations have strengthened ties over recent decades through a shared distrust of Western influence and a desire for a more ‘multipolar’ world order. China remains a major buyer of Russian oil, while Russia increasingly depends on Chinese trade and technology following Western sanctions linked to the war in Ukraine. The conflict involving Iran is also expected to feature prominently in discussions, as both China and Russia maintain close relations with Tehran. Playing a role in ending the conflict could potentially win each goodwill with the United States, but would be navigated cautiously by both leaders as they protect their own partnerships, interests and global ambitions.