President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday that China and Russia should consolidate and expand bilateral relations and push for in-depth development of practical cooperation.

Xi made the remarks when holding talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a video meeting.

Xi stressed that in the new year, he is willing to work with Putin to continue guiding China-Russia relations towards greater heights, to cope with the uncertainties of the external environment with the stability and resilience of China-Russia relations, to jointly promote the development and revitalisation of the two countries, and to uphold international fairness and justice.

He called on the two sides to continue deepening strategic coordination, firming up mutual support and safeguarding the legitimate interests of the two countries.

Xi also said Beijing and Moscow should jointly defend the UN-centred international system and the outcomes of World War Two victory.

The president said the two countries should also uphold basic norms governing international relations and practise true multilateralism. (Xinhua)