Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday exchanged New Year greetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

China and Russia always move forward hand in hand along the right path of non-alliance, non-confrontation, and not targeting any third party, Xi said.

The political mutual trust and strategic coordination between the two sides have continuously marched to a higher level under the strategic guidance of the two leaders, he added.

The two sides, Xi said, support each other as chairs of the BRICS mechanism and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, contributing significantly to solidarity and cooperation among the Global South.

The Chinese leader also said he is ready to maintain close exchanges with President Putin and maintain the general direction of China-Russia cooperation, so as to continue consolidating and deepening China-Russia ties featuring permanent good-neighborly friendship, comprehensive strategic coordination and mutually beneficial cooperation.