Xi’s double act: Putin arrives in China days after Trump’s departure

have tightened cooperation across trade, security and diplomacy, driven by a shared mistrust of Washington and an apparent personal affinity between Putin and Xi, who typically refer to each other as “dear” or “old” friends. The two have met more than 40 times.

It’s a state-level visit, so Putin was welcomed in a ceremony with levels of pomp and circumstance continue reading …