The Summit as a Strategic Photo-Op.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has used a military parade in Beijing to signal a new international order. The presence of both Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the event is more than a simple photo-op; it is a masterstroke of diplomacy. This high-profile gathering positions Xi as a central figure in global affairs, directly challenging the notion of a unipolar world. While U.S. President Donald Trump struggles to secure a breakthrough in peace talks with Putin, and publicly expresses a desire to re-engage with Kim, Xi is demonstrating that he holds the key relationships necessary to influence both leaders. The timing is no coincidence, as the event serves as a clear display of leverage ahead of a potential summit with Trump.
A New Axis of Influence
The event signals the consolidation of a new axis of influence, one that stands apart from the Western-led order. The invitations extended to Putin and Kim, leaders widely considered pariahs by the West, reinforce Beijing’s role as a diplomatic heavyweight. This move not only provides legitimacy to Russia and North Korea but also highlights China’s willingness to forge its own alliances. The presence of Kim, in particular, is a significant development. It suggests that despite recent concerns of a deepening Moscow-Pyongyang alliance that might have sidelined Beijing, China’s core relationship with North Korea remains strong. Given that North Korea’s economy is heavily dependent on China for nearly 90% of its food imports, Kim’s visit to Beijing underscores the unbreakable bond and China’s continued influence over Pyongyang.
The Ultimate Leverage: The Road to Washington
Xi’s diplomatic gambit is all about gaining leverage ahead of his possible meeting with President Trump. The Chinese leader has positioned himself as an indispensable intermediary on two of the world’s most critical issues: the war in Ukraine and North Korea’s nuclear program.
Ukraine: By hosting Putin, Xi can claim to be a potential peacemaker with direct access to the Russian leader, a position no other major Western power can credibly hold. This provides China a crucial role in any future ceasefire or peace negotiations.
North Korea: With Trump expressing interest in a new summit with Kim, Xi’s meeting with the North Korean leader is a clear signal that any path to renewed talks likely runs through Beijing. Having already assisted Trump in past efforts to meet Kim, China now has an even stronger hand to play.
Beyond these geopolitical matters, the show of diplomatic strength gives Xi a significant advantage in ongoing trade negotiations. The clock is ticking on a 90-day pause in tariffs, and with so much at stake, Xi’s position as a vital diplomatic player provides him with the strongest possible hand in talks with Washington.
A Ticking Clock and a Shifting Geopolitical Landscape
This strategic move by Xi underscores a fundamental shift in the geopolitical landscape. Diplomacy is no longer a one-way street dominated by Western powers. In a world where some of the most pressing issues involve leaders from countries considered “pariahs,” control over those relationships is a new form of power. The ultimate question now is not just what Trump and Xi will discuss, but whether the Chinese leader will leverage his new-found influence to orchestrate a truly historic event: a multilateral meeting involving Xi, Trump, Putin, and Kim.
