26 Years Later: Putin’s Emotional Reunion With Chinese Engineer Steals Spotlight In Beijing

Last Updated:May 20, 2026, 16:02 IST

The engineer, identified as Peng Pei, greeted Putin during the Russian leader’s visit to the Chinese capital.

Russian President Vladimir Putin reunited with a Chinese engineer he first met during his inaugural visit to China in 2000, in a brief moment amid high-level talks in Beijing.

The engineer, identified as Peng Pei, greeted Putin during the Russian leader’s visit to the Chinese capital. Video released by the Kremlin showed the two embracing before exchanging a few words. Putin told Peng Pei he could visit Russia “anytime", to which Peng replied: “I will definitely go."

According to previous Chinese media interviews, Peng Pei first met Putin as a child at Beihai Park during Putin’s first trip to China as Russia’s president in 2000. Peng Pei recalled that Putin had helped him down from a railing before posing for a photograph. The reunion took place as Putin held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

The two leaders discussed energy cooperation, trade, technology and international security issues, while also overseeing the signing of several bilateral agreements. China and Russia also extended their long-standing treaty of friendship and cooperation.

Putin’s visit comes as Moscow seeks to deepen economic ties with Beijing amid continuing Western sanctions linked to the war in Ukraine. China remains Russia’s largest trading partner and a major buyer of Russian oil and gas exports.

News world 26 Years Later: Putin’s Emotional Reunion With Chinese Engineer Steals Spotlight In Beijing

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