The hydropower dam, in quake-prone Tibet, is set to be the world’s biggest. But China has said little about the project, which could affect nearby countries.

When The Global Times announced that Beijing was going to build a cascade of nine large HPPs on the Yarlung Tsangpo, human rights groups raised concerns, fearing displacement of locals and adverse environmental impact on the downstream countries of India and Bangladesh.

Speaking with Putin in a video meeting, Xi called for coping with uncertainties of the external environment with the stability and resilience of China-Russia relations, jointly promoting the development and revitalization of the two countries, and upholding international fairness and justice.