leadnews.BEIJING, May 20, 2026 (AFP) – Chinese President Xi Jinping hailed the “unyielding relationship” between China and Russia as he began talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Beijing on Wednesday, state media reported.

“We have been able to continuously deepen our political mutual trust and strategic coordination with a resilience that remains unyielding despite trials and tribulations,” Xi told Putin, according to Xinhua news agency.