Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin have rejected US “interference” in their affairs and pledged to “maintain the stability” of industrial supply chains after trade between the two countries soared last year.

Moscow and Beijing should “cultivate new momentum for co-operation”, Chinese state media quoted the president as telling his Russian counterpart in a call on Thursday. Putin is facing western sanctions aimed at curbing military production following his invasion of Ukraine, while Xi is fighting US restrictions on high technology exports to China.

“The two sides should strengthen strategic co-ordination, safeguard the national sovereignty, security and development interests of their respective countries, and resolutely oppose external interference in their internal affairs,” Xi said.