News - World: Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping have agreed to further deepen the “strategic partnership”, scolding the United States for posing threats against their countries.

Putin, who arrived in China on Thursday for his first state visit after he was sworn in for a record-breaking fifth term as Russia’s president earlier this month, and Xi noted their positions in almost all fields, from economics and space to defense, Ukraine and Chinese Taipei (Taiwan).

“The parties reiterate their serious concern over the attempts of the United States to disrupt the strategic security balance in the region,” said a 7,000-word joint statement on “the deepening of the comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation entering a new era.”

China, a major market for the Russian military, and Russia have significantly strengthened their economic cooperation and diplomatic ties in recent years, with their strategic partnership growing even closer following the Ukraine conflict.

“This partnership is without a doubt exemplary for how the relationship between neighboring states should be,” Putin said on the first day of his two-day visit to China.

“Our cooperation in global affairs today is one of the main stabilizing factors in the global arena,” he added.

The Chinese president, for his part, said that his country is ready to work with Russia to “uphold fairness and justice in the world.”

“The China-Russia relationship today is hard-earned, and the two sides need to cherish and nurture it,” Xi stressed.

Russia and China declared a “no limits” partnership in February 2022, when Putin visited Beijing just days before Moscow launched its military campaign in neighboring Ukraine.

Trade between the two sides reached a record $240 billion last year, with Chinese companies increasing investment after Western firms left Russia following the imposition of sanctions against Moscow.

Source: Press TV