Putin and Xi Discuss Middle East Crisis and New World Order
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping discussed the conflict in the Middle East during a meeting on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing.
Putin emphasized that "common threats" have brought Russia and China closer together.
The two leaders had an "in-depth exchange of views" on the situation in Israel and Palestine, according to Chinese state media.
However, Beijing has yet to name or condemn Hamas in its statements.
Both Russia and China have called for a ceasefire in the conflict and have refrained from explicitly condemning Hamas, in contrast to the US and European leaders who have expressed support for Israel.
The meeting between Putin and Xi also highlighted the deepening political trust between the two leaders.
Putin praised Xi's Belt and Road Initiative as a way to establish a "fairer, multi-polar world" and emphasized Russia's alignment with China.
This visit to Beijing is a rare overseas trip for Putin, who is shunned by the West.
The Russian leader's comments at the forum followed an address from Xi, who presented the Belt and Road Initiative as an alternative development model for the world and expressed China's expanding ambitions to reshape the global world order.
Xi has been ramping up efforts to project China as an alternative leader to the US and to pitch his vision for global security and development.
The Belt and Road Initiative, which has marshaled hundreds of billions in Chinese finance for infrastructure projects around the world, is a key part of this push.
More than 150 countries have cooperated on the program, which Beijing says has mobilized "up to a trillion dollars in investments."
However, China's economic growth has slowed, and questions have been raised about the initiative's high costs and environmental impact.
Despite criticisms, Xi reiterated his commitment to the initiative, stating that it represents the advancing of our times and the right path forward.
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