China seeks to deepen relations with Russia despite a “turbulent” external environment, President Xi Jinping has said.

Xi made the pledge to expand investment and economic relations as he met Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in Beijing on Tuesday. China has drawn closer to Moscow since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago, despite pressure from the West.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that Xi seeks to expand mutual investment with Russia, describing the enhanced ties as a “shared strategic choice” and declaring that the two countries “must maintain close coordination”.

“China-Russia relations have forged ahead this year despite the turbulent external environment,” Xi told Mishustin, according to China’s Foreign Ministry.

He

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