This photo taken on March 12, 2026 shows the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua)

　　Beijing is fast emerging as the focal point of global diplomacy. China"s Foreign Ministry has confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit China from May 19 to 20—just days after US President Donald Trump wrapped up his own trip. The tightly sequenced visits have sparked widespread attention, with analysts noting that it is extremely rare in the post-Cold War era for a country to host the leaders of the US and Russia back-to-back within a week.

　　The development comes amid a sustained influx of world leaders to China in recent months, including visits by leaders of other permanent members of the UN Security Council. French President Emmanuel Macron visited in December 2025, followed by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in January 2026. Trump"s visit, the first of an American president in nine years, has been quickly followed by preparations for Putin"s arrival—an overlap that underscores both the intensity of China"s diplomatic calendar and its expanding influence on the world stage.

　　"While the US and Russia, as major global powers, have long been at odds over issues such as the Ukraine crisis and European security, both have nonetheless designated Beijing as a "must-visit" destination," Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Sunday. "In diplomatic history, the fact that a single country simultaneously becomes a key destination for two major powers is itself a highly symbolic moment."

　　Trump"s visit has drawn global media attention. Trump described the trip as a "great success" and repeatedly called it "incredible" and "unforgettable." He stated that the relationship between China and the US "is going to be better than ever before."