President Vladimir V. Putin's visit to a trade fair in a northeastern Chinese city and a state-backed university emphasized the growing economic and military partnership between Russia and China in the face of Western pressure over the Ukraine conflict. His tour with President Xi Jinping showcased their strategic alignment and personal rapport, signaling their united front against the West. The joint statement issued during their talks targeted the United States and pledged closer collaboration in energy, space, and military sectors. The visit to the Harbin Institute of Technology underscored Russia's interest in advanced defense research and military technology from China. The deepening trade relationship, with a record $240 billion in two-way trade in 2023, reflects efforts to minimize the impact of Western sanctions, including increasing transactions settled in local currencies.