The Russian capital, Moscow, is showing signs of increasing Chinese influence, as President Vladimir Putin prepares to visit Beijing in the upcoming week.

Reports from the city indicate a growing Chinese presence, observed in a myriad of aspects ranging from language and martial arts practices to cuisine and the automobile industry. Notably, the sight of a Chinese business center adorned with the Chinese flag and traditional pavilions stands out.

“The evidence suggests a deepening and intensification of the relations between these two nations,” said Natalia Gerasimova, a Russian company manager and a visitor to the Chinese landscape park in Moscow.

After Western countries severed ties with Russia following its military incursion into Ukraine in 2022, China stepped in, buying Russian oil and selling Chinese goods, pushing bilateral trade to a record $245 billion in 2024. A “no limits” partnership was signed between Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping the same year.

Despite China remaining Russia’s biggest trading partner, trade turnover with China has decreased this year. According to reliable sources, this is an issue Putin will seek to address during his upcoming summit with President Xi.

But not all Russians view the growing Chinese influence as a positive development. Roman Dmitriev, a businessman and visitor to the landscape park, asserts that while China might be a major player in industry and the labor market, it lacks in technology, which he believes is a domain of the West. He predicts a swift reorientation towards the West when it reopens its doors to Russia.

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At Moscow’s “Chinese First” language school, Natalia Wang, the director, reported a sudden surge in demand for learning Mandarin among both children and adults. Chinese vehicles, too, are now a common sight in Moscow, albeit met with some skepticism by Russian consumers.

Beijing’s influence in Moscow is on the rise, as observed in both economic and cultural spheres. As Putin prepares to visit China, the future of this relationship and its implications for both nations, as well as the global stage, remain to be seen. This raises important questions about the shifting dynamics of international alliances and trade partnerships.