BEIJING: China said on Thursday (May 15) it was ready to "expand practical cooperation" with the Russian army, after President Xi Jinping's recent visit to Moscow for a lavish World War II Victory Day parade . The two countries have drawn closer in recent years, including since Moscow launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Xi's trip to Russia last week drew ire from Kyiv's allies, who have accused Beijing of giving Moscow economic and political cover to wage a war of aggression.