Xi tells Putin that China-Russia ties are on ‘right trajectory’ and need ‘grand plan’

Chinese President Xi Jinping held a video call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, telling him that relations were on the “right trajectory” and that the two countries needed a “grand plan” to develop ties.Putin told Xi that China-Russia ties were a stabilising factor at a time of global turbulence, according to Russian media reports.It was the first meeting between the two leaders this year as both sides seek to ramp up strategic alignment amid rising global geopolitical tensions.Putin also hailed the energy trade with China, with Moscow consistently ranking as the No 1 supplier to the world’s second-largest economy.“Russia is the leading energy supplier to China, and our energy partnership is mutually beneficial and truly strategic,” Putin said.“We are conducting an active dialogue on peaceful nuclear energy and promoting hi-tech projects, including in industry and space exploration,” he added.Xi Jinping hails ‘lasting friendship’ in talks with PutinXi Jinping hails ‘lasting friendship’ in talks with Putin