Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to host Li Qiang, the Premier of the State Council and the top executive official in China, during Li Qiang’s upcoming visit to Russia scheduled for August 20–22. The announcement comes from the press service of the Government of the Russian Federation and frames the trip as a continuation of high level dialogues between Moscow and Beijing that aim to deepen diplomatic and practical cooperation across several key areas.
Invited by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Li Qiang’s visit marks the 29th regular session of the joint heads of government council between Russia and China. The discussions are planned to center on advancing bilateral ties with a focus on tangible cooperation, humanitarian exchanges, and enhanced interregional collaboration. The arrangement underscores a commitment to concrete projects and the broadening of people-to-people ties, alongside sustained government-to-government engagement.
The government press service confirmed that Putin will receive Li Qiang during the visit, a formal recognition of the importance both sides place on continuing dialogue at the highest level. This meeting is anticipated to reinforce the trajectory of their evolving partnership and to explore avenues for expanding mutual interests in trade, economic development, and regional security cooperation.
Earlier in June, Li Qiang canceled a planned meeting with Robert Habeck, the German deputy chancellor, with no public explanation given at the time. The cancellation is noted in multiple sources as a reminder of the fragile and dynamic nature of international scheduling, where diplomatic calendars can shift due to shifting priorities on the global stage.
The prior encounter between Putin and Li Qiang occurred in May, during the Russian president’s state visit to China, when leaders held discussions in Beijing. Following that visit, Putin extended an invitation for Li Qiang to travel to Moscow, signaling a desire to deepen dialogue and to explore new opportunities for cooperation between the two nations across economic and strategic domains.
During the ongoing exchanges, Putin has sought to outline the broader contours of negotiations with Xi Jinping, highlighting a shared interest in advancing a pragmatic, results-oriented agenda. The relationship between Russia and China continues to evolve, with both capitals emphasizing steadier cooperation in sectors ranging from energy and manufacturing to regional stability and research collaboration.