Xi, in call with Putin, says China and Russia are 'true friends' who 'support each other'

Chinese President Xi Jinping declares China and Russia as "true friends" supporting each other, strengthening military and trade ties.

President Xi Jinping said China and Russia are "true friends" who "support each other", state media reported on Monday (February 24, 2025).

Xinhua reported Mr. Xi as saying that "history and reality show that China and Russia are good neighbours that cannot be moved away, and true friends who share weal and woe, support each other and achieve common development".

Also read | Power asymmetry between China and Russia

The state news agency earlier reported that Mr. Xi and Mr. Putin held a phone call on Monday "upon invitation" with the Russian leader.

Moscow and Beijing have strengthened military and trade ties since Russia sent troops into Ukraine, though China has sought to depict itself as a neutral party amid the nearly three-year conflict.

It remains a close political and economic partner of Moscow and has never condemned Russia's actions, leading some NATO members to brand Beijing an "enabler" of the conflict.

Both sides have made much of Mr. Xi and Mr. Putin's supposedly strong personal bond, with Mr. Xi calling the Russian leader his "best friend" and Putin lauding his "reliable partner".