Putin and Xi Strengthen Strategic Alliance and Showcase China's Military Capabilities

SadaNews - Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the "unprecedented" level of relations between Moscow and Beijing during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the Chinese capital on Tuesday.

The meeting came on the eve of a massive military parade commemorating Japan's surrender in World War II, where the Chinese army is expected to showcase a range of its modern weapons, attended by more than twenty global leaders, including North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Putin stated that the close communication between Russia and China reflects a strategic nature of the relations between the two countries, noting the growing closeness since the onset of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

For his part, Xi Jinping said that the relations between Beijing and Moscow have "withstood international changes," expressing China's willingness to work with Russia towards establishing a more just and equitable global system.

In recent days, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit took place in Tianjin, where the two presidents strongly criticized the West, while Xi called for strengthening a historical perspective on World War II and opposing the Cold War mentality and the intimidation policies practiced by some countries.

The military parade in Beijing comes at a time when Russian-Chinese relations are experiencing near-regular communication between Putin and Xi, with hints of indirect Chinese support for Moscow in the Ukraine war, despite Beijing's assertions of neutrality and its accusations against the West of prolonging the conflict.

The presence of Kim Jong Un also indicates the strengthening of the alliance between North Korea, Russia, and China, formalizing the relations established among the three countries.

It is expected that the North Korean leader will meet with the Chinese and Russian presidents, noting that the parade will be the first occasion where the three leaders appear together.

Relations between North Korea and Russia have been growing closer since the start of the Ukraine war. Kim has sent weapons and soldiers to support Moscow.