Is This The New World Order?

© Sputnik/ Michael Klimentyev

The Telegraph: A new world order? Putin and Xi put friendship on display

Echoes of the past as Moscow's Victory Day parade stirs memories of a previous anti-American alliance

At first sight, things look very different now. When President Xi Jinping of China took pride of place next to Vladimir Putin of Russia on Saturday, they looked like any other modern world leaders: pragmatic men-in-suits, full of smiles, temporary possessors of power rather than dictators-for-life.

Back in 1949, when Chairman Mao Tse-tung paid his first visit to Moscow to celebrate Comrade Joseph Stalin's 70th Birthday, it was a paean of old-school Communism.

Children in Young Pioneer uniforms paraded through the Bolshoi Opera House telling of their ambition to become tractor drivers. Mao wore a "Mao suit" and Stalin military uniform. Both men looked grumpy.

WNU Editor: As a Russia - China watcher for the past 30 years .... I can honestly say that I have never the relations between the two countries this close. In the past the relationship was based on mutual ideological/political philosophies .... today it is based on economic and national security issues. Will this last .... my prediction is that it will easily last into the next century.

More News On The Growing Russia - China Relationship

As Russia Remembers War in Europe, Guest of Honor Is From China -- NYT
Xi marks shared victory with Putin at Moscow V-Day parade -- Want China Times
Xi attends Russia's V-Day parade, marking shared victory with Putin -- Xinhuanet
Russia, China sign infrastructure deals worth billions -- Washington Times
Xi and Putin vow to uphold legacy of WWII victory -- Want China Times
'A Joint Economic Space on the Continent': Putin Meets China's Xi -- Sputnik
Putin and Xi: not quite the allies they seem -- Financial Times
At Russia's Military Parade, Putin and Xi Cement Ties -- The Diplomat
Xi stands with Putin on 'Victory Day.' Can Russia play a China card? -- Peter Ford, CSM
Brothers again? How deep is the Xi-Putin bromance? -- Carrie Gracie, BBC