Following Trump's inauguration, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin held a virtual meeting to strengthen bilateral relations between China and Russia.

China's President Xi Jinping spoke with Russia's Vladimir Putin over video call on Tuesday, Chinese national broadcaster CCTV said.

Xi said he hoped to work with Putin to take ties with Moscow to "new heights" this year, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. "Both sides should continue to deepen strategic coordination, resolutely support each other, and safeguard the legitimate interests of both countries," CCTV reported Xi as saying.