On the eve of a huge military parade in the Chinese capital, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin began bilateral talks in Beijing.
Putin celebrated the “unprecedented level” of the two nations’ relations.
Putin reportedly told Xi, “Dear friend, both I and the entire Russian delegation are pleased to meet once again with our Chinese friends and colleagues,” in a video posted on the Kremlin’s official Telegram messaging app.
“Our close communication reflects the strategic nature of Russia-China relations, which are at an unprecedentedly high level,” he stated.
We were always together then, and we remain together now.”
Xi told Putin that “China-Russia relations have withstood the test of international changes” – adding that Beijing was willing to work with Moscow to “promote the construction of a more just and reasonable global governance system”.
Xi is set to host China’s largest-ever military parade on Wednesday, which will mark the 80th anniversary of the surrender of the Japanese in China at the end of World War Two.
In May, Xi similarly visited Moscow for Russia’s celebrations to mark the defeat of the Nazis.
This week’s meetings come at a time when Xi seeks to project Beijing’s power on the international stage – not just as the world’s second-largest economy, but also as a diplomatic heavyweight.
Xi has emphasised China’s role as a stable trading partner while US president Donald Trump’s tariffs have upended economic relationships around the world.
Now, while a deal with the Russian leader to end the war in Ukraine continues to elude Trump, Xi’s welcome of Putin to Beijing demonstrates their close ties.
The pair have previously touted their countries’ relationship as a “friendship with no limits”.
Xi and Putin criticised Western governments during the summit on Monday, with Xi condemning “bullying” from certain countries – an apparent veiled reference to the US – while Putin defended Russia’s Ukraine offensive and blamed the West for triggering the conflict.
The two leaders met in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported.