Putin's China visit yields limited substance amid asymmetry (defence24.com)

• 22 of ~40 documents were non-binding memoranda.
• Only binding agreement: railway line for Russian resources to China.
• China uses symbolic cooperation to underline asymmetry.
• Russia increasingly becomes China's resource hinterland.
• Despite economic weakness, Russia remains a military threat.

"An analysis of Putin's May 2026 visit to China reveals that despite propaganda claims of success, the signed documents were mostly non-binding. The only substantive intergovernmental agreement was for a railway line facilitating Russian resource exports to China. Beijing treats Moscow as a dependent partner, avoiding serious commitments."