INTERNATIONAL: Russian President Vladimir Putin has confirmed during Wednesday's virtual meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping that he will attend the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, which reaffirms the two leaders' strong ties, said a senior Chinese official who also attended the meeting.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng has noted that the two leaders have been good friends for many years.

"President Xi Jinping and President Putin have successfully held their second video meeting this year. This is also the 37th meeting between the two heads of state in the past eight years. The two heads of state have talked for an hour and a half, exchanging views on many issues such as pragmatic cooperation in bilateral relations and international strategic coordination. The atmosphere was very friendly,” shared Le.

"The exchanges between the two heads of state over the past eight years have left many stories of deep friendship. They used to watch ice hockey games together, celebrate birthdays together, and took the high-speed train together. It can be said that they are real friends, old friends, true friends to each other," he added.

Putin's attendance at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Games next February bears significant meaning, in part because it will be Putin and Xi's first in-person meeting since the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic, noted the official.

"February 4 next year marks the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics. President Putin was invited to Beijing to attend the ceremony. President Putin just said that his attendance at the opening ceremony is a counterattack to the politicization of sports. The Winter Olympics also coincides with the Chinese New Year, so this will be a gathering for both the Winter Olympics and a New Year's celebration. Putin will come not only to participate in the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics but also to celebrate the Chinese New Year with us, so it has a special meaning. This is also the first face-to-face meeting between the two heads of state since the beginning of the pandemic, and it is of great significance," said Le.