President Vladimir Putin declared cooperation between Russia and China a “stabilizing” force in the world as he began a two-day state visit to Beijing.
Putin was received with full military honors by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People, the huge ceremonial parliamentary seat off Tiananmen Square in the heart of the capital.
The public signs of unity underscore the close ties between the autocratic leaders and come as the Kremlin presses a new offensive in Ukraine.
According to a video released by Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency, President Putin told Xi that “Russia-China relations are not one of opportunism and are not directed against anyone,” and that “Russia-China relations are not based on opportunism and are not directed against anyone.” Cooperation between the two countries is one of the stabilizing factors in the international arena.”
According to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, Mr. Xi said the two countries are deepening their relationship as “good neighbors, good friends and good partners.” This sentiment reflected the two countries’ commitment to an “unrestricted” relationship, signed in 2022 just before Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Follow us for updates below