And earlier this week a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said the Sino-Russian relationship is one of “strategic partnership”, adding the two nations are not “allies”.
However, Mr Zhang did add that Russia’s concerns about attempts by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) to expand and invite Ukraine to join as a member need to be listened to.
So, if Mr Xi was to turn his back on Russian President Vladimir Putin, what could be his reasons for doing so?
The UK, US and a number of their allies have hit Moscow with a wide range of sanctions aimed at crippling the Russian economy.