Bilateral relations between Russia and China have reached an "unprecedented level."

This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a conversation with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in the Chinese capital Beijing, AFP reported.

"Our close contacts reflect the strategic nature of Russian-Chinese relations, which are currently at an unprecedented level," Putin said.

Xi is holding a series of diplomatic meetings this week, including his participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in the northern city of Tianjin, a forum that China presents as an alternative to Western-dominated international structures.

During the summit, the two leaders criticized the West. Xi condemned the "hooliganism" of some countries — a veiled reference to the US — while Putin defended Russia's military actions in Ukraine and blamed the West for starting the conflict. 

Moscow and Beijing announced an "unlimited partnership" just weeks before Putin launched Russia's offensive in Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, the expanded military and trade cooperation between the two countries has been a cause for concern in the West. | BGNES