NNA- China's President Xi Jinping on Thursday told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that both countries should oppose interference by "external forces", Chinese state media reported, as the two leaders spoke on the phone to mark Lunar New Year.

Beijing and Moscow are staunch allies and have strengthened their relationship even as many countries have turned their backs on Russia over its invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.
The two sides have maintained a steady flow of high-level visits and dialogue, and trade between them reached a record high in 2023.

During Thursday's phone call, Xi said that they "should closely collaborate strategically, defend the sovereignty, security and development interests of their respective countries, and resolutely oppose interference in internal affairs by external forces", a readout from state broadcaster CCTV said.

Putin told Xi that ties between China and Russia were at "an unprecedentedly high level", a Kremlin readout said. — AFP 

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