World / Wed, 20 May 2026 South China Morning Post

How Vladimir Putin’s chance encounter with a Chinese boy in Beijing shaped a life

Russian President Vladimir Putin met Chinese engineer Peng Pai on Wednesday, over a quarter century after a chance encounter during his first presidential visit to China, when Peng was 12 years old. Putin, who arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for a two-day visit, received Peng at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. Russian President Vladimir Putin meets Peng Pai on Wednesday, nearly 26 years after they were photographed together after a chance encounter in Beijing’s Beihai Park. Like Peng, Mao was also born in Hunan province, where he started his revolutionary activities. AdvertisementThe Russian president said he would like to thank journalists for tracking down Peng, and added that watching footage of their first encounter brought back clear memories of how they met.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met Chinese engineer Peng Pai on Wednesday, over a quarter century after a chance encounter during his first presidential visit to China, when Peng was 12 years old.

Putin, who arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for a two-day visit, received Peng at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.

According to a Kremlin statement, Putin praised Peng’s decision to study in Russia, saying it was “very pleasing” to him and that he hoped he had found a welcoming environment there.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets Peng Pai on Wednesday, nearly 26 years after they were photographed together after a chance encounter in Beijing’s Beihai Park. Photo: AFP

The two shared a hug after a long handshake and exchanged cultural memorabilia, and Putin signed a commemorative photo of their first meeting.

Putin noted that the meeting with Peng was taking place on a significant day – 56 years after former Chinese leader Mao Zedong declared that China must fight American imperialism.

Like Peng, Mao was also born in Hunan province, where he started his revolutionary activities.

The Russian president said he would like to thank journalists for tracking down Peng, and added that watching footage of their first encounter brought back clear memories of how they met.