Russia’s President Putin hails ‘all-embracing’ bilateral partnership with China with nations due to sign more than 30 trade deals

Russian President Vladimir Putin boasted on Saturday about its “all-embracing and strategic partnership” with China during his latest visit to Beijing, as the two countries try to present a united front amid increasing tensions with the West.

Hailing the role their close, high-level ties play in advancing bilateral ties and promoting regional and global development, Xinhua said China’s President Xi Jinping and Putin had agreed to beef up their mutual support and enhance their political and strategic trust.

Both Xi and Putin witnessed the signing of deals after holding talks, Xinhua reported.

More than 30 trade deals were signed during the Russian leader’s visit, in areas such as the economy and trade, foreign affairs, infrastructure, technology and innovation, agriculture, finance, energy, media, the internet and sports.

The two heads of state, who met five times last year, also signed a joint statement on promoting the development of information and cyberspace.

During an earlier meeting with China’s Premier Li Keqiang, Putin said Sino-Russian ties were based firmly on common economic interests – a reference to Russian hopes for Chinese investment and purchases of its oil, gas and military exports.

Li said China was willing to respond to Russia’s call to expand cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) and to reach “institutional arrangements” in trade and investments, China News Service reported.