Xi Jinping's Moscow visit dominated state media coverage, with choreographed reporting tracking his arrival, welcome ceremonies, and sequential bilateral talks with Putin. Morning coverage highlighted Xi being received as an "esteemed friend" upon landing, with afternoon reporting focused on the signing of a joint declaration deepening their "comprehensive strategic partnership."

Xi's rhetoric evolved throughout the day from general statements about China-Russia relations being "more confident, stable and resilient" to specific assertions that both nations have a "special responsibility as major countries" to oppose "power politics." This rhetorical escalation coincided with the exchange of cooperation documents.

Parallel coverage tracked Pakistan's deployment of Chinese-made J-10C fighter jets against India, with China and the US described as "watching closely from the sidelines." Hong Kong media reported the father of activist Anna Kwok being denied bail and another man jailed for "seditious" online posts targeting authorities.