‘Uncertainties’ rising: Xi calls for stronger cooperation in meeting with Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin met his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Monday on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, with the two leaders discussing bilateral ties and international and regional issues.According to China's state-run Xinhua, Xi said that under the two countries' “strategic guidance and joint efforts”, the foundations of bilateral relations would become stronger and prospects would be brighter.“Uncertainties and unpredictable factors in the international situation have increased markedly,” Xi said, adding that people's pursuit of peace, development and cooperation remained unchanged.Xi said China was willing to work with Russia and others to “strengthen the forces leading the reform of global governance and advancing an equal and orderly multipolar world”, as per Reuters.Putin highlights AI, digital innovation cooperationPutin said Moscow wanted to expand cooperation with Beijing in artificial intelligence and digital innovation.“Cooperation is successfully developing on all fronts,” Putin told Xi ahead of…