Beijing, Moscow set to deepen ties with premier's Russia visit: East Asia Tonight October 20, 2026

China and Russia are seeking to take action on the consensus reached between Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin earlier this year. Also on East Asia Tonight, Japan slams Russia for denying access to a detained journalist, saying Moscow breached a consular agreement. Meanwhile South Korea scales back its diplomatic presence in Ukraine, as tensions flare over two North Korean prisoners of war.

00:00 Introduction
01:43 Chinese premier to visit Russia
08:57 Japan-Russia tensions
10:05 South Korea withdraws staff from Ukraine embassy
11:33 Tensions on the Korean peninsula
13:03 South China Sea tensions
17:48 US-China AI rivalry
24:20 Insights from Chong Ja Ian on China-Russia ties
31:59 China durian industry
37:36 Analysis by Quentin Parker on Japan mars mission