Putin To Meet Xi In China 15-16 May-BBG

Bloomberg News reporting that Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to visit China on 15-16 May, days after the beginning of his new term in office, to hold talks with his counterpart Xi Jinping. While the dates may change according to BBG's source, the visit would mark the Russian president's first foreign trip to take place after his inauguration on 7 May.

• The 'no limits partnership' between the two nations has seen trade expand dramatically, but also spurred concerns in the West about not only economic benefits accruing to both nations but the potential for a boost to Russian and Chinese military might engendered by the closer relations.
• As Foreign Policy notes, "Russia is sending oil and natural gas east, and getting in return cars, machinery, and some critical components to keep its defense industrial base humming. In particular, U.S. officials say, China is providing Russia with drone and missile engines as well as semiconductors that Russia needs for its defense industry. [...] Moscow, for years leery of providing Beijing with advanced military and aerospace technology, is now opening the vault, providing advanced air defense systems and reportedly some of the advanced technology used in China’s breakthrough new quiet submarines. "