Russia's Vladimir Putin hails 'unprecedented' ties with China at talks in Beijing | BBC News

Russian 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.

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 surrender of the Japanese in China at the end of World War Two.