Russia's Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping begin talks in Beijing

The two leaders are seeking to promote "a more just and reasonable global governance system".

Watch LiveBritish Broadcasting CorporationHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsArts in MotionTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcast CategoriesRadioAudio FAQsVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveWeatherNewslettersWatch LiveRussia's Putin hails 'unprecedented' ties with China at talks in Beijing6 hours agoShareSaveLaura BickerChina correspondent andGavin ButlerBBC NewsShareSaveSputnik/Pool via ReutersRussian state media shared photos of Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin meeting for bilateral talks in Beijing on TuesdayRussian leader Vladimir Putin said his ties with Chinese President Xi Jinping are at an "unprecedented level" as the two met in Beijing on the eve of a massive military parade.

Putin described Xi as a dear friend; Chinese state media said relations were exemplary. Russia is to increase supplies of gas to China, while Beijing will offer visa-free travel to Russians during a year-long trial.

Xi is also preparing to welcome North Korea's Kim Jong Un in what appears to be a show of solidarity with both aggressors in the Ukraine war.

Xi will host China's largest-ever military parade on Wednesday to mark the 80th anniversary of the formal surrender of the Japanese at the end of World War Two.

In May, Xi visited Moscow for Russia's celebrations to mark the defeat of the Nazis.