Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the need for China and Russia to enhance mutual support within multilateral frameworks during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Beijing. Xi stated that both nations should work together to safeguard their development and security interests, unite countries in the Global South, and promote a more just and equitable international order.

According to Ghana News Agency, President Xi highlighted the importance of both countries supporting each other in guiding the development of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). He suggested that they should inject new momentum into the SCO to make it a stronger and more substantive strategic platform. Xi also asked Lavrov to convey his greetings to Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasizing the advancement of their comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination.

The SCO, co-founded by China and Russia, is a regional cooperation mechanism aimed at maintaining peace, stability, and development across Eurasia, Xi noted. Lavrov responded by conveying President Putin's greetings to President Xi and acknowledged the deep development of the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership under the strategic leadership of their respective heads of state.

Lavrov further mentioned that Russia highly values its relationship with China and aims to maintain high-level exchanges, especially in this significant year marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War. He assured that Russia would collaborate with China to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields and to promote regional and global peace and stability.

Additionally, Lavrov expressed Russia's support for China's role as the rotating chair of the SCO, pledging to work together to ensure the success of the upcoming SCO summit in Tianjin.