Xi, Putin vow to consolidate relations

Nations called on to jointly defend intl system with UN at its core

President Xi Jinping has pledged to work with Russian President Vladimir Putin to take bilateral relations to greater heights in the new year and "cope with uncertainties in the external environment through the stability and resilience of China-Russia ties".

In a meeting via video link with Putin at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday afternoon, Xi also stated his willingness to work together to promote the development and revitalization of the two nations and to safeguard international fairness and justice.

As part of recent high-level interactions, Xi and Putin exchanged congratulatory messages on Dec 31.