Chinese leader Xi Jinping will welcome Vladimir Putin to China on Thursday for the Russian president’s second visit in less than a year, according to CNN.

Putin will arrive in China just over a week since entering a new term in office.

His visit, set to take place May 16-17, according to Chinese state media, mirrors Xi’s own state visit to Moscow just over a year ago.

Their meeting comes months ahead of the American presidential elections and as Washington faces mounting international backlash over its support for Israel’s war on Gaza. 

In an interview with Chinese state news agency Xinhua published Wednesday ahead of his travel, Putin hailed the “great prospects” of the countries’ partnership and their joint efforts to “strengthen the sovereignty, protect the territorial integrity and security of our countries.”

The leaders aimed to deepen cooperation in “industry and high-tech, outer space and peaceful uses of nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, renewable energy and other innovative sectors,” Putin added.