China tells Russia's security chief relations could 'break new ground'

FILE PHOTO: Russian Security Council secretary Sergei Shoigu (right) shaking hands with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a meeting in St Petersburg, Russia, on Sept 10, 2024. - Reuters

BEIJING: China's top diplomat told Russia's security chief that bilateral relations could "break new ground" this year as the two officials met in Beijing on Sunday (Feb 1), according to an official government statement.

Beijing and Moscow have ramped up economic cooperation and diplomatic contacts in recent years, and their strategic partnership has grown closer since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.