Vladimir Putin called Xi Jinping a ‘dear friend’, gave advice to America in gestures

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that relations between the two countries have become a good example for other countries in the world. Putin arrived in China on his first foreign visit a few days after being re-elected for a fifth term in power. Welcoming Putin on a two-day visit, Xi said it was great to celebrate the 75th anniversary of China-Russia diplomatic ties. “This relationship has become a good example for neighbouring countries to treat each other with respect and frankness and pursue friendship and mutual benefit,” he said, without referring to Russia-Ukraine.

Xi and Putin have met more than 40 times

The US and the EU have been putting pressure on China to withdraw its support for Russia in the Ukraine war. Xi said he and Putin have met more than 40 times and discussed strategic issues that have ensured a strong, stable and smooth development of relations. “China-Russia mutual relations have been built through hard work and need to be further enhanced by both sides,” Xi said. “The stable development of China-Russia relations is not only in the fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples, but also conducive to peace, stability and prosperity in the region and around the world,” the Chinese President said.

‘Relations between Russia and China are not opportunistic’

Putin addressed Xi as “my dear friend” in his speech. “It is of fundamental importance that relations between Russia and China are not opportunistic and are not directed against anyone,” he said. “Our cooperation in global affairs serves today as one of the main stabilizing factors in the international arena,” Putin said, according to a report by Russian news agency TASS. Putin also said Russia was ready for talks on Ukraine.