Moscow, Russia - May 7, 2025 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
1. National flags of China, Russia

Moscow, Russia - May 8, 2025 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
2. Kremlin
3. Various of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin walking down red carpet, shaking hands
4. National flags of China, Russia

Moscow, Russia - May 8, 2025 (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Kirill Babaev, director, Institute of China and Contemporary Asia, Russian Academy of Sciences:
"I think this is a visit which is not only politically or economically important for bilateral relations, but also quite symbolic for the whole world, because it shows that China and Russia are still coordinating their efforts and are still acting together whatever happens in the West."

Moscow, Russia - May 8, 2025 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
6. Xi, Putin entering meeting hall
7. National flags of China, Russia
8. Xi, Putin holding small-group talks, officials of two sides in attendance

Moscow, Russia - May 8, 2025 (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Kirill Babaev, director, Institute of China and Contemporary Asia, Russian Academy of Sciences:
"The world order is changing, and I think Russia and China should be the beneficiaries of this change because they are promoting principles that require no domination, fair treatment for everyone, respect for national interests and the world economy free of any unilateral limitations or sanctions or barriers. So these are the principles that Russia and China share with the majority of countries at the moment, and I think this is the basis of probably the new system of international relations that is being born at the moment."

Moscow, Russia - May 8, 2025 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
10. Various of Xi, Putin signing joint statement
11. Camera crew
12. Various of Xi, Putin holding documents, shaking hands, attendees applauding
13. Xi, Putin shaking hands
14. Kremlin, river

Chinese President Xi Jinping's current state visit to Russia demonstrates that the two countries stand together in solidarity amid a changing world order, a Russian scholar said on Thursday.

Xi arrived in Moscow on Wednesday to pay a four-day state visit to Russia at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin. The Chinese president, along with Putin and other world leaders, attended a grand parade marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War in Moscow's Red Square on Friday.

Kirill Babaev, director of the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences, said in an interview with the China Global Television Network (CGTN) that Xi's latest trip -- his 11th visit to Russia since as Chinese president -- sends a strong symbolic message.

"I think this is a visit which is not only politically or economically important for bilateral relations, but also quite symbolic for the whole world, because it shows that China and Russia are still coordinating their efforts and are still acting together whatever happens in the West," he said.

Babaev also believes Russia and China share certain common values when it comes to international relations, which makes their relationship even more relevant in today's turbulent global landscape.

"The world order is changing, and I think Russia and China should be the beneficiaries of this change because they are promoting principles that require no domination, fair treatment for everyone, respect for national interests and the world economy free of any unilateral limitations or sanctions or barriers. So these are the principles that Russia and China share with the majority of countries at the moment, and I think this is the basis of probably the new system of international relations that is being born at the moment," he said.

While holding talks with Putin at the Kremlin on Thursday, Xi called for promoting the correct historical perspective on World War II, and safeguarding the authority and status of the United Nations. He also urged efforts to promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.

Babeav echoed Xi's view and highlighted the significance of the Chinese leader's attendance at the grand Victory Day parade. He said the anniversary is a time for reflecting on the past and ensuring no such mistakes are made in the future, stressing the need for a more multilateral world where no one country seeks to dominate.