Putin hails ties with China as Kim Jong-un arrives in Beijing on eve of parade

Russian president says relations at unprecedentedly high level' as dozens of leaders gather for Victory Day events

Vladimir Putin has hailed Russia's unprecedentedly" high level of ties with China, as dozens of leaders including the North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un arrived in Beijing on the eve of a massive military parade.

Putin called China's leader, Xi Jinping, a dear friend" after the two held talks at the Great Hall of the People and then at Xi's personal residence.