Xi, Putin pledge more coordination

China stands ready to scale up bilateral cooperation in testing as well as the research and development of vaccines and pharmaceuticals, he said.

The two sides must also consolidate cooperation in traditional energy sectors and further cooperation in the new energy and nuclear sectors, he said.

Xi also expounded on bilateral cooperation within the frameworks of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the BRICS bloc and the United Nations Security Council.

As for democracy, Xi reiterated that it is only up to the people of a nation to decide whether it is a democracy and how to better achieve democracy.

He urged both sides to enhance dialogue and coordination to guide the international community to form a rightful view on democracy and protect the legitimate democratic rights of various nations.

Putin said Russia-China relations are at an unprecedented historic best. The two nations, with a high level of strategic mutual trust, have set an example in achieving win-win cooperation on the basis of non-interference in their respective domestic affairs and respecting each other's interests, making their relations a model for international relations in the 21st century, he said.

He said Russia has always opposed attempts to politicize sports, and the nation is willing to enhance bilateral cooperation in trade, economics, oil, gas, finance, aerospace and major strategic programs.

Le Yucheng, vice-minister of foreign affairs, said at a briefing after the meeting that China-Russia relations have stood out among those between major countries as having the highest level of mutual trust, coordination and strategic value.

The ties were widely supported by people from both nations as cooperation has benefited the general public, he said. Natural gas from Russia has played an important role in ensuring China's energy supply and imported products from Russia are immensely popular in the Chinese market.

Chinese businesses, including automakers and cellphone manufacturers, are now firmly establishing themselves in the Russian market, he said.

Lyudmila Matsenko, a member of the Central Board of the Russia-China Friendship Association, said Russian-Chinese cooperation is an important factor in maintaining the balance of power and global stability in the face of multiple challenges.

Danil Bochkov, an expert at the Russian International Affairs Council, said leaders and top government officials have touted the Russia-China strategic partnership as a priority for both sides.

"The idea entails that both states, while prioritizing their international relations with other global actors, give specific attention to contacts with each other first," he said, especially when it came to the COVID-19 response and allegations related to human rights.