China’s power shift claims gained attention after Beijing hosted Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in close succession, according to a South China Morning Post opinion piece.
The commentary said President Xi Jinping used the meetings to show that China can manage ties with Washington and Moscow on its own terms.
Putin’s China visit produced about 40 signed documents and a joint statement on strengthening the Beijing-Moscow partnership, the piece said.
The article said Trump’s visit showed Washington still valued direct engagement with Beijing despite strategic rivalry.
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It described Russia as increasingly dependent on China because of sanctions, Western isolation and the costs of the Ukraine war.
The commentary argued that Beijing’s approach reflects a more fluid global order, where major powers compete, bargain and hedge rather than form fixed camps.
