Putin hails ties with China as Kim Jong-un arrives in Beijing on eve of parade

"Putin called China's leader, Xi Jinping, a dear friend after the two held talks at the Great Hall of the People and then at Xi's personal residence. Our close communication reflects the strategic nature of Russia-China relations, which are at an unprecedentedly high level, Putin told Xi, according to a video on the Kremlin's Telegram channel. We were always together then, and we remain together now."

"Kim Jong-un disembarks at a railway station in Beijing on Tuesday. Photograph: Pang Xinglei/AP At the Victory Day parade on Wednesday, thousands of soldiers are due to march through the streets of the capital in a show of Chinese military might. Rumbling tanks and powerful fighter jets will also be on display for the event, which is being held to commemorate 80 years since the defeat of Japan in the second world war."

"The gathering of global autocrats leaders from Iran, Myanmar and Zimbabwe will also be present, along with a host of other non-western dignitaries has been described as the axis of upheaval by analysts. Putin also met Slovakia's Moscow-friendly prime minister, Robert Fico, the only EU leader in attendance, whom he praised for his country's independent position. Fico has repeatedly criticised Kyiv and stalled European Union sanctions against Moscow, arguing they put Slovakia's energy security at risk."

Putin hailed unprecedentedly high strategic ties with China after talks with Xi at the Great Hall of the People and at Xi's personal residence. He called Xi a dear friend and said close communication reflects the strategic nature of Russia-China relations. Dozens of leaders, including Kim Jong-un who arrived in an armoured train, gathered in Beijing ahead of a large Victory Day military parade. Thousands of soldiers, tanks, and fighter jets will be displayed to commemorate 80 years since Japan's defeat in World War II. Leaders from Iran, Myanmar, and Zimbabwe attended, prompting analysts to call it an axis of upheaval. Putin met Slovakia's prime minister Robert Fico and praised his independent stance; Fico has criticised Kyiv and delayed EU sanctions citing Slovakia's energy security.

Read at www.theguardian.com