The Spring Festival Diplomacy
Two phone calls on the same day. One with Moscow, one with Washington. Xi Jinping chose the Beginning of Spring — Lichun in the lunar calendar — to signal renewal in both directions. The timing is deliberate. The readouts reveal something about how Beijing navigates a world where the American president's impulses and Russian partnership both demand attention.
The American Call
Zichen Wang documents the evening conversation with the American president. The readout emphasizes stability over triumph. Wang writes, "Xi noted that over the past year, the two sides have maintained good communication and met successfully in Busan, providing strategic guidance for China–U.S. relations—an outcome welcomed by the peoples of both countries and by the international community."
The framing is careful. Strategic guidance rather than confrontation. Busan referenced as the meeting ground. Wang notes Xi's language about the "great ship" of relations needing to move "steadily forward" through winds and waves.
As Wang puts it, "I attach great importance to China–U.S. relations. In the new year, I am willing to continue working with you to steer this great ship of China–U.s. relations through winds and waves and keep it moving steadily forward."
The Taiwan question appears early and non-negotiable. Wang writes, "Xi stressed that the Taiwan question is the most important issue in China–U.s. relations. Taiwan is China's territory. China must safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and it will never allow Taiwan to be separated from China."
The American president's response, per Wang's documentation: "I value China's concerns on the Taiwan question and am willing to maintain communication with China and keep U.S.–China relations in good and stable condition during my term in office."
"Do not fail to do good because it is small; do not do evil because it is small."
Critics might note that the readout's emphasis on mutual respect leaves unanswered how Washington's arms sales to Taiwan square with Beijing's definition of sovereignty. The phrase "handle the issue with great prudence" is diplomatic shorthand for a tension that remains unresolved.
The Russian Partnership
The afternoon call with Vladimir Putin carries different weight. Wang writes, "President Xi extended sincere Spring Festival greetings to President Putin and the Russian people, and noted that today is the Beginning of Spring, one of the solar terms in the Chinese lunar calendar. It means the return of spring and signals a new start."
Putin's response, as Wang documents: "According to the Chinese calendar, today is Lichun, which signifies the beginning of spring. This is when cold weather starts receding, and nature enters the renewal and awakening phase. But in terms of Russia-China relations, it can be argued with complete certainty that spring continues throughout the year, no matter the season."
The symbolism matters. Both leaders invoke the same calendar. Both frame their relationship as permanent rather than seasonal. Wang notes the anniversaries ahead: thirty years of strategic partnership, twenty-five years of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation.
As Wang puts it, "President Xi said that over the past year, we met twice and steered China-Russia relations into a new stage of development. The two countries solemnly commemorated the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, demonstrating a firm resolve to defend the victorious outcomes of WWII and international fairness and justice."
The economic dimension receives attention. Wang writes, "Despite a minor decline, which I would describe as an adjustment of indicators, our bilateral trade has been considerably above 200 billion for three years in a row. Russia is the leading supplier of energy resources to the People's Republic of China."
Putin's characterization of the relationship: "Russia and China have forged an exemplary comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation."
The Institutional Frame
Wang's readout captures Xi's language about global governance. "As responsible major countries and permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, China and Russia are duty-bound to pool global efforts to firmly uphold fairness and justice, firmly defend the victorious outcomes of WWII, firmly safeguard the U.N.-centered international system and the basic norms of international law, and jointly maintain global strategic stability."
The repetition of firmly three times signals conviction. Or perhaps insistence.
Wang documents Putin's reciprocal framing: "Regarding international affairs, the ties between Moscow and Beijing in foreign policy remain an important stabilising factor amidst growing turbulence in the world."
Critics might note that the "stabilizing factor" claim rests on a shared vision of stability that excludes certain voices — particularly those affected by the outcomes of WWII commemoration that both leaders invoke. The readout does not address whose justice, whose fairness.
Bottom Line
The dual readouts reveal Beijing's two-track diplomacy: one relationship built on transactional stability with Washington, another on strategic alignment with Moscow. Wang's documentation shows Xi speaking from the same calendar but to different audiences. The verdict: spring signals renewal, but the underlying tensions remain frozen in place.