Xi's visit consolidates Beijing's upper hand over Putin

Xi Jinping said China is ready with Russia "to stand guard over the world order based X on international law" as he arrived in Moscow for a state visit on Monday, days after Vladimir Putin was made the subject of an arrest warrant by the international criminal court.

- Pjotr Sauer and Amy Hawkins

A military brass band greeted Xi at Moscow's Vnukovo airport. "I am very glad, at the invitation of President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, to come back to the land of our close neighbour on a state visit," Xi said upon arrival, according to Russia's state-run Tass news agency. "I am confident the visit will be fruitful and give new momentum to the healthy and stable development of Chinese-Russian relations." Xi added that together with Russia, China was "ready to resolutely defend the UN-centric international system, stand guard over the world order based on international law".

The two leaders, who are believed to share a strong personal relationship, held "informal" talks on Monday, followed by dinner. In remarks at the Kremlin, Putin told Xi he welcomed Beijing's proposal to end the "acute crisis" in Ukraine and that he viewed the plan with respect.

The Russian leader told his Chinese counterpart: "You know that we are always ready for negotiating, and we will discuss all those questions including your suggestions." He also said that Russia was "slightly envious" of China's rapid development in recent decades.