Xi rolls out red carpet for Putin at ‘Axis of Evil’ summit after Chinese tyrant touted power of ‘limitless partnership’
XI Jinping praised his "everlasting friendship" with Vladimir Putin as he rolled out the red carpet in China for the tyrant.
The Russian president has jetted to Bejing for a two-day visit for a chilling summit with his Chinese counterpart as he pushes forward a new offensive in Ukraine.
Putin, 71, and Xi, 70, declared a "no limits" relationship in 2022 - just days before the dictator invaded Ukraine.
He has continued to cosy up to Xi and cling to China as an ally after being stung by hundreds of sanctions from the West over his illegal war.
Putin has used Xi as a lifeline, with Russia becoming increasingly economically dependent on China as Western sanctions cut its access to much of the international trading system.
Following his dawn arrival, Putin was greeted by Xi with full military honours at the Great Hall of the People.
The pair were pictured strutting along a red carpet on what marks Putin's first international visit since he began his unprecedented fifth presidential term following a sham election.
Xi said the two countries were furthering their relationship as good neighbours, good friends, and good partners, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
His remarks came as a haunting echo of their commitment to the "no limits" relationship they signed in 2022.
Xi today hailed the "75 years of persistent accumulation of ever-lasting friendship and all-round cooperation" between Russia and China.
In talks described as "warm and comradely" by Putin, the pair also signed a joint statement confirming they will deepen the strategic partnership of the two countries
It comes as China has been slammed for its support of Putin's war as the dictator oversees a fresh brutal offensive in Kharkiv.
On Wednesday, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken called out Beijing for supplying Moscow with nonlethal aid.
He said when he visited Beijing, he saw that the “overwhelming majority” of machine tools and microelectronic chips for Russia come from Chinese sources.
On the eve of the visit, Putin said in an interview with Chinese media that the Kremlin is prepared to negotiate over the conflict in Ukraine.
He talked up his supposed wish for a "peaceful" solution in Ukraine.