Vladimir Putin's visit to China on May 19-20, 2026 aroused unprecedented interest in the local press. But the attention of journalists was attracted not only by the political agenda. A short episode at the airport, where the Russian leader took off his jacket before boarding the car, gave rise to a flurry of interpretations.
Chinese media, in particular the South China Morning Post, traditionally see symbols in every public gesture of distinguished guests. Therefore, experts were quick to say that Putin feels "at home" in China, and his action emphasizes the particularly trusting and informal nature of relations between Moscow and Beijing.
However, business protocol expert Ekaterina Bogacheva urged not to look for deep diplomatic meanings where they do not exist.
"Putin did this to get some rest in the car and gain strength before the next events. This is a working moment, accidentally caught in the camera lenses. There is no violation of etiquette here," Bogacheva explained.
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