Beijing, Moscow to boost strategic cooperation

Countries deepening ties in which analysts say China increasingly holds upper hand

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China's and Russia's top diplomats said on April 9 their countries would strengthen strategic cooperation as they met in Beijing, further deepening ties as Moscow's war in Ukraine grinds on.

Russia and China have in recent years ramped up contact, and their strategic partnership has only grown closer since the invasion of Ukraine.

At the tail end of a two-day visit to China on April 9, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held talks with President Xi Jinping.

"We would like to express our highest appreciation and admiration for the successes you have achieved over the years and, above all, over the past decade under your leadership," Mr Lavrov told Mr Xi.

For his part, Mr Xi told Mr Lavrov that China attached great importance to relations with Moscow and "stands ready, with Russia, to strengthen bilateral communication, (and) strengthen multilateral strategic coordination", according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

Mr Xi and President Vladimir Putin have agreed to maintain close exchanges to ensure the steady development of their ties, the readout said.