Ukraine war tests China's 'no limits' bond with Russia

Chinese President Xi Jinping is seen on a live broadcast of the opening ceremony for the National People's Congress at a mall on Saturday, March 5, 2022, in Beijing. China on Saturday cut its annual economic growth target to its lowest level in decades as Beijing struggles to reverse a slump at a time when Russia's war on Ukraine is pushing up oil prices and roiling the global economy. - AP

BEIJING, March 6, 2022 (AFP): Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin toasted a friendship with "no limits" at a warm meeting in February, but just one month later that bond is being tested by the war in Ukraine.

With international outrage and sanctions mounting against Russia, Beijing is scrambling to avoid being tainted by association with Moscow while also maintaining their increasingly close ties.