: REUTERS
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Vladimir Putin has declared that Russia and China’s cooperation is a “stabilising” force for the world, as the began a two-day state visit in Beijing.
Putin was greeted by Xi Jinping, the Chinese President, with full military honours at the Great Hall of the People, the massive seat of the ceremonial legislature sitting aside Tiananmen Square in the heart of the capital.
The public sign of unity underscores the close relationship between the autocratic leaders and comes as Moscow presses forward with a new offensive in Ukraine.
“Relations between Russia and China are not opportunistic and not directed against anyone,” Putin told Xi, according to a video published by Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency: “Our cooperation in international matters is one of the stabilising factors in the international arena.”
Xi said the two countries were furthering their relationship as “good neighbours, good friends, good partners,” according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. The sentiment echoed their commitment to the “no limits” relationship they signed in 2022, just before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
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This is Putin’s second visit to Beijing to solidify ties with his “old friend” in less than a year.
Putin arrived at dawn and was driven in a motorcade to the Great Hall of the People, a massive state building on the western side of Tiananmen Square that is used for ceremonial, cultural and political events.
There, Putin was greeted by Xi and a full military ceremony including a gun salute from the People’s Liberation Army.
In televised remarks, the Russian president said he was “happy to be in China among our friends”.
The China-Russia relationship was “worth cherishing and safeguarding by both sides”, Xi said.
The pair celebrated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations forged between the former Soviet Union and the People’s Republic of China after it swept to power in a civil war in 1949.
According to the Kremlin, the two leaders plan to discuss their “overarching partnership and strategic cooperation” and the “most pressing international and regional issues”.
Putin told his counterpart that China-Russia ties are “stabilising” for the world when the pair met, according to Russian television pool footage.
: ALEXANDER RYUMIN
: Yue Yuewei
: CreditSERGEY KOZLOV/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
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