On Tuesday, the New China News Agency (Xinhua) quoted Chinese President Xi Jinping as saying that China and Russia are always moving forward “hand in hand” on the right path of non-alignment, non-confrontation, and not targeting any third party.

While exchanging New Year greetings with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, Xi also said that mutual trust and strategic coordination between the two countries continue to achieve higher levels under their leadership, according to what Reuters reported.

Xi Jinping pledged to encourage “world peace” in his letter to Putin. He said, “No matter how the international situation changes, China will remain steadfast in further deepening comprehensive reform... and promoting global peace and development.”