China’s Xi Jinping, Russia’s Vladimir Putin vow deeper ties in phone call ahead of Lunar New Year
- Chinese President Xi Jinping urged ever-closer strategic collaboration in call with Russia’s Vladimir Putin ahead of Lunar New Year, CCTV reports
- Both countries must ‘resolutely oppose’ external interference, Xi says, asserting need to defend sovereignty, security and development interests
The pair had also exchanged greetings on December 31, ahead of the new calendar year.
Trading new year’s greetings, reviewing the achievements of the past year and looking forward to new ones “has become a good tradition between us”, Xi told Putin during their call, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.
“Looking back on the road travelled, we’ve weathered many storms together,” he said.
Xi spoke highly of the China-Russia relationship in 2023, citing booming trade, active exchanges, frequent visits and robust cooperation, and called for ever-closer strategic collaboration, CCTV reported.
The Chinese leader also said both countries must defend their sovereignty, security and development interests and “resolutely oppose interference in their internal affairs by external forces”.
