Xiplomacy: Warmth that transcends borders

BEIJING -- During Russian President Vladimir Putin's China trip this May, Chinese President Xi Jinping invited him to visit a photo exhibition celebrating the everlasting friendship between the two countries at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

As the two presidents strolled through the exhibition, viewing pictures documenting their close interactions and the solid progress in China-Russia cooperation, they paused before a familiar image from Moscow's Red Square.

The photograph, taken on May 9, 2025, during celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory in the Great Patriotic War, showed Xi seated between Putin and Russian World War II veteran Evgeny Znamensky, whose suit was adorned with medals earned through wartime service. The two leaders were seen warmly chatting with the veteran.

Recalling the warm memories of their meeting in Moscow more than a year ago, the 100-year-old veteran said the temperature that day was below 10 degrees Celsius. "President Xi was concerned that I might feel cold and specifically asked for a blanket for me."

Deeply touched by the gesture, Znamensky said he greatly appreciated Xi's kindness.

The blanket was a small gesture, but it speaks volumes about a core tenet of China's diplomacy.

"Friendship, which derives from close contact between the people, holds the key to sound state-to-state relations," Xi articulated this philosophy at the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in 2017.