NNA - President Xi Jinping told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Tuesday that China hoped to take ties with Moscow to "new heights" this year, Chinese state media reported, hours after Donald Trump was sworn in as US President.

"The stability and resilience of China-Russia ties will help counter uncertainties in the external environment, jointly advance the development and revitalisation of both countries, and uphold international fairness and justice," Xi told Putin on a video call, according to state broadcaster CCTV. -- AFP