China’s Xi gives Putin a red-carpet welcome – and makes a veiled jab at the US

is a boon as he aims to cement China’s reputation as a global powerbroker.

But while both leaders received a red-carpet welcome, Putin’s visit was marked by a more outward display of the friendship between the two leaders and their countries.

Putin and Xi also signed a joint statement – a diplomatic gesture that’s become standard during the Russian leader’s continue reading …