Beijing, Moscow must deepen cooperation: China foreign minister

Mr. Putin, in response, told Mr. Wang “our positions coincide regarding the emergence of a multipolar world”, according to a readout from the Kremlin.

Beijing's top diplomat told President Vladimir Putin that China and Russia must work to strengthen cooperation in the face of a "complex international situation", Chinese state media reported Thursday.

Speaking at a meeting with Mr. Putin in Saint Petersburg, at which the Russian leader accepted an invitation to visit China next month, Wang Yi said the "world is rapidly moving toward multipolarity".

"Economic globalization is progressing against headwinds, unilateral actions are unsustainable, and hegemonism is not popular," Mr. Wang said, according to an English readout by Beijing's Xinhua news agency.

"Both sides need to strengthen their multilateral strategic cooperation, protect their legitimate rights and interests, and make new efforts to promote the international order toward fairness and justice," he added.

Mr. Putin, in response, told Mr. Wang "our positions coincide regarding the emergence of a multipolar world", according to a readout from the Kremlin.

He also said he had "gladly accepted" Chinese leader Xi Jinping's invitation "to visit China this October as part of a major event to promote the Belt and Road Initiative".

Mr. Putin is widely expected to attend next month's third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, which will mark the 10-year anniversary of China's international infrastructure project.