But behind the display of solidarity and trust, the packed trip appeared to yield few concrete gains for Moscow – notably no deals on the closely watched Power of Siberia 2 pipeline project.

Still, Chinese observers said the trip reflected the shared push by Beijing and Moscow for a multipolar world order, even as economic and strategic asymmetries in the relationship have become increasingly apparent.

Zhang Xin, a professor at the Centre for Russian Studies at East China Normal University, said Beijing’s position in managing China-Russia-US ties appeared to be strengthened after hosting Trump and Putin.

“China is actually standing in a relatively more advantageous position,” he said.

“Given the fact that the leaders of Russia and the US have visited China, this is not just symbolic. Indeed, China now is in a relatively stronger position within this triangular relationship.”