Chinese President Xi Jinping says Beijing will stand with Russia in the face of "hegemonic bullying" from other nations as he met with his counterpart Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin.
In a lengthy joint statement, they said they would deepen relations in all areas, including military ties, and "strengthen coordination in order to decisively counter the US's course of 'dual containment' of Russia and China".
The Russian president welcomed Mr Xi for talks in the Kremlin that Moscow hopes will provide a diplomatic boost for the country at a key moment in the war with Ukraine.
"In the face of the international counter-current of unilateralism and hegemonic bullying behaviour, China will work with Russia to shoulder the special responsibilities of major world powers," Mr Xi told Mr Putin.
Mr Xi also hailed the "deepening" trust between the two nations, saying they should be "friends of steel".
"The political mutual trust between China and Russia is becoming deeper, and the ties for pragmatic cooperation are becoming stronger," he said.
Mr Putin greeted Mr Xi in the Kremlin, calling him a "dear friend."
The pair approached each other along a red carpet from opposite ends of one of the Kremlin's most opulent halls and shook hands in front of the cameras, then stood to attention for the playing of the Chinese and Russian national anthems.
During the initial talks, Mr Putin assured the public and Mr Xi that relations between Moscow and Beijing benefit both nations and were not in opposition to others.
"We are developing our ties for the benefit of the peoples of both countries and are not opposed to anyone," he said.
'Historical truth' of WWII important to Putin
Mr Putin thanked Mr Xi for coming to Moscow to take part in ceremonies that also mark the 80th anniversary of what he said was Russia's "sacred" victory over the Nazis in World War II.
He told his Chinese counterpart that their nations intend to defend the "historical truth" about World War II, which the Russian leader accuses the West of wanting to distort.
"Together with our Chinese friends we firmly stand on guard of historical truth, protect the memory of events of the war years and counter modern manifestations of neo-Nazism and militarism," he said.
"The victory over fascism, achieved at the cost of enormous sacrifices, is of lasting significance."
He said the two countries stand together now against "neo-Nazism".
Mr Xi is the most powerful of more than two dozen foreign leaders who are visiting Moscow this week to mark the 80th anniversary.
The celebrations are taking place at a key moment in the war with Ukraine, as Moscow and Kyiv come under US pressure to reach a peace deal.
China is also locked in a tariff war with the United States, and Mr Xi is expected to sign numerous agreements to deepen the "no limits" strategic partnership with Russia.
China is Russia's biggest trading partner and has thrown Moscow an economic lifeline that has helped it navigate Western sanctions.
Currently, China buys more Russian oil and gas than any other country.
At the end of the initial meeting, both presidents said they would be happy to visit the other's country again in the near future, with Mr Xi saying he's sees Mr Putin as an "old friend."
Reuters/AFP
[THE WORLD]
