Russian and Chinese presidents solidify relations during Sochi opening ceremony

THE global power balance has tilted east after the Sochi opening ceremony, where Vladimir Putin and the Chinese president buddied up.

THE global power balance has tilted east, following the Sochi Olympics Opening Ceremony, where Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart President Xi Jinping clapping each other on in the VIP box.

Two of Australia’s most prominent businessmen, Lachlan Murdoch and James Packer, looked on as Sino-Russian relations got cosier while America kept itself out in the cold.

It was the first time a Chinese president has attended a major overseas sports event, with Xi flying in to Sochi days before the spectacular opening at the personal invitation of the Russian president.

Xi has travelled to Russia twice since assuming the presidency last year and, on this trip, held an intimate meeting with Putin to make further strategic plans for bilateral cooperation this year.

When China’s 138-strong team marched into Sochi’s Fisht Olympic Stadium, Xi rose to his feet and clapped enthusiastically, with those around him, including Putin, joining in.

“The Chinese and Russian leaders standing together at the Opening ceremony speaks volumes about the changing geopolitical landscape,” said Mr Packer, who was seated just below the two world leaders in the $679 million purpose-built stadium.

“It is an ever changing world,’’ he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at a function before the Sochi Olympics...

Australia’s International Olympic Committee vice-president John Coates, wearing an Australian Olympic scarf, sat only a handful of seats to the Chinese president’s left.

The show of strong friendship between Russia and China is a sharp reminder to the United States’ allies, including Australia, that broader, more sophisticated foreign diplomacy is required.

Mr Packer, who has multi-billion dollar casino investments in Macau, has said in the past that Australia should take an independent view and be sure not to be seen as just America’s friend.

U.S president Barack Obama gave Russia the cold shoulder by failing to attend or send his vice-president. First Lady Michelle Obama, who attended the London Olympics, this time remained snug inside the White House.

He sent former Homeland Security chief Janet Napolitano to wave a limp U.S. flag.

Even more provocatively, in a nod to elements of his domestic constituency, Obama included in his hand-selected delegation three openly gay athletes.

One of them, tennis great and gay rights campaigner Billie Jean King, ended up staying back in Arizona to be with her ailing mother.

It was the first time since Sydney in 2000, that the U.S. delegation to an Olympics did not include a president, vice president or first lady.

Hollywood film director Brett Ratner, who travelled to Sochi as Mr Packer’s partner in his Ratpac entertainment venture, said he was disappointed his country did not send a more senior representative.

He said such a gesture would have been appropriate since it was Russia’s first hosting of an Olympics since Moscow in 1980, which America boycotted.

“President Obama should have come,” Mr Ratner said.

British Prime Minister David Cameron, German President Joachim Gauck and French President Francois Hollande also stayed away.

But Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe showed his support, sitting in the VIP area close to Putin and United Nations secretary general, South Korea’s Ban Ki-moon.