Tianjin, China —

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has sat down with Vladimir Putin in their first formal bilateral meeting since the Russian leader arrived in China on Sunday.

The two leaders are meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Chinese and Russian state media reported.

The close rapport between Xi and Putin was on show throughout a two-day summit in the Chinese port city of Tianjin that concluded Monday. During a banquet dinner Sunday evening, Xi warmly greeted Putin and was seen gesturing expressively in conversation with the Russian leader.

Putin previously said that he discussed his recent negotiations in Alaska with US President Donald Trump with Xi during summit activities Sunday. Putin met Trump last month in Alaska as the US pushes for Russia to end its war in U

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