As Relations With U.S. Sour, Xi Describes Putin As 'Best Friend' At Moscow Meeting

Chinese leader Xi Jinping described Russian President Vladimir Putin as his "best friend" as the two met in Moscow on Wednesday at a time when U.S. relations with both countries are increasingly strained.

"In the past six years, we have met nearly 30 times. Russia is the country that I have visited the most times, and President Putin is my best friend and colleague," Xi said at a news conference during his three-day state visit to Russia.

"We will strengthen our mutual support on key issues," Xi said.

For his part, Putin said bilateral ties had "reached an unprecedented level" and described the relationship between the two countries as "a global partnership and strategic cooperation."

The meeting comes as U.S.-China relations are at a low point due to the Trump administration's launching of a trade war that slapped steep tariffs on Chinese imports.

Beijing has responded with similar tariffs of its own on U.S. products.

In Moscow, Xi alluded to the trade dispute with Washington. "Protectionism and unilateral approaches are on the rise, and a policy of force and hegemonism is increasingly taking hold," he said.