Hong Kong, May 28 -- Just four days after saying farewell to US President Donald Trump, May 15, and even before the red carpet could be rolled up and stashed away, the Chinese leader Xi Jinping welcomed his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to Beijing from May 19-20.

The close proximity of the state visits was unmistakable, as Chairman Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin doubtlessly swapped notes about their arch-nemesis, the USA. Some reports say Xi will visit North Korea very soon, too, his second-ever trip to Pyongyang. This certainly gives the appearance of a triumvirate comprising China, Russia and North Korea.

Putin has made a staggering 25 visits to China. Furthermore, the two leaders have met in person more than 40 times since 2013, ...