Putin calls Xi Jinping a 'Reliable Friend' as Russia-China relations deepen at annual press conference: Video
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, December 19, praised his relationship with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, describing him as a “reliable friend” and a “stable partner and ally of Russia,” during his annual, marathon press conference in Moscow.
“I would say that I regard President Xi Jinping as a reliable friend and a stable partner, my reliable friend and a stable partner and ally of Russia,” Putin said. “This is the most important foundation for the development of our Russian-Chinese relations. They are developing consistently.”
Putin added that the strong ties between Moscow and Beijing serve as a “significant factor of stability in the world,” stressing that cooperation between the two countries continues to expand across multiple sectors.
He highlighted collaboration in high-tech manufacturing, science, education, humanitarian exchanges and space exploration as evidence of deep mutual trust. Putin also pointed to close military cooperation, including regular joint exercises, strategic aviation patrols, naval drills and operations involving ground forces.
The remarks were made during the televised event Year in Review with Vladimir Putin, which combines the president’s annual phone-in with citizens and his end-of-year press conference. Both formats have been held since 2001 and were merged into a single event in 2023.
The broadcast typically spans several hours and covers a wide range of issues, including international relations, global conflicts, domestic social concerns, and economic and technological developments.
Last year’s edition attracted about 2.4 million questions from the public, with 76 answered live on air. The programme ran for four hours and 30 minutes, just 10 minutes short of its longest-ever duration in 2008.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
