xi-jinping-sends-new-year-hand-in-hand-message-to-putin

In a New Year's message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, China's President Xi Jinping emphasised that China and Russia have always worked together “hand in hand” along the path of non-alliance, non-confrontation, and not targeting any third party. 

He stated that under their leadership, the mutual trust and strategic coordination between the two countries continue to strengthen.

Xi Jinping also expressed his willingness to maintain close communication with Putin to further consolidate and deepen the strong, friendly relations between China and Russia. He highlighted the nations' permanent good-neighbourly friendship.

According to Russia's state-run RIA news agency, Xi Jinping is expected to visit Russia in 2025. Russia’s ambassador to Beijing, Igor Morgulov, said preparations for bilateral events are actively underway, with Xi's visit being a key priority. 

 

However, China's foreign ministry did not confirm the visit but stated that both nations maintain close contacts at all levels.

Vladimir Putin visited China in February 2022, just before launching the large-scale military operation in Ukraine, declaring a "no limits" partnership between the two countries. 

He returned to Beijing in May 2023 after his re-election, marking a new phase in their relations focused on opposing US policies.

In 2023, Xi Jinping was warmly welcomed in the Kremlin after securing his historic third term. According to Morgulov, while China has not condemned Russia’s war in Ukraine, both nations share common challenges, especially with rising pressures from the US and its allies in the Asia-Pacific region.

In December 2023, Putin remarked that Russia-China relations have reached an “unprecedented level” due to the strong mutual trust between the countries, as reported by Xinhua news agency. He made these comments during his annual press conference.

Meanwhile, North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un called Putin his “dearest friend” in a New Year's letter, praising the strong ties between their nations. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the two countries have strengthened political, military, and cultural relations. 

In June 2023, Putin visited North Korea, where both countries signed a defence pact that came into effect in December. The pact commits both nations to provide military assistance to each other if attacked.