Vladimir Putin And Xi Xinping Have Met 30 Times In The Past Six Years

Yes that is true. Both President Vladimir Putin of Russia and President Xi Xinping of China have met at least FIVE Times a year for the past six years. (They have met more than 30 times in total and still counting). 

This year 2019 alone they have met at least THREE times, in Beijing in April, in Moscow on June 5th and yesterday in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. 

Never before in the history of Russia and China have its leaders met so many times and in such a  friendly and amicable atmosphere.  

Putin calls Xi his 'best friend' and Xi has returned the compliment by calling Putin his 'bosom friend'.

In Dushanbe yesterday the latest Putin meets Xi event became another media spectacular because it was President Xi's 66th birthday and Putin gave him some interesting gifts. These included Xinping's favourite Russian ice cream, a birthday cake and a Russian crafted vase.  In return Xi gave Putin some Chinese tea.

Xi Xinping also pointed out that Putin is very popular in China. Here is a Youtube video about the exchange of gifts in Dushanbe yesterday. Notice the body language and genuine warmth between the two leaders.

Link :  https://youtu.be/mDkG13OzCN0

Bear in mind that certainly Putin and Xi would have first met formally as leaders of their respective countries.  Then they have both grown to become close and (obviously) trusted friends - at a personal level.  Exchanging ice cream, cake and tea. 

China is perhaps the largest economy in the world today and also a fast developing military superpower.  Russia is the most relevant military superpower in the world because they win the wars in which they choose to participate. 

Xi Xinping has been made president for life (of the Communist Party of China) whereas President Putin has at least another 10 years ahead of him as leader of Russia.  So far both their being in power is also popular with the majority of their peoples.  Both Russia and China have seen robust economic growth over the past years. 

The close alliance between Putin and Xi will add much robustness between the two superpowers Russia and China in many aspects - economics, trade, technology, regional peace and hopefully a stabilising influence in world politics.  Good neighbours are good. Better if good neighbours are also strong.