BBC.com reports: “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.

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…”