Officials say Chinese President Xi Jinping will travel to Moscow next week for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Kremlin said it would discuss “comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation”.
The visit comes as Beijing, an ally of Russia, has made proposals to end the war in Ukraine, to which the West has drawn mixed reactions.
Western countries have warned Beijing against supplying Moscow with weapons.
This will be President Xi Jinping’s first visit to Russia since Russian troops invaded Ukraine. He is expected to have lunch with Mr Putin on Monday, followed by talks on Tuesday.
A Foreign Ministry spokesman said China would maintain an “objective and fair stance” on the war in Ukraine and “play a constructive role in promoting peace talks”.
A spokesman for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said China’s real role in restoring Ukraine’s sovereignty would be welcomed.
The fact the Chinese leader is going to Russia signals Beijing’s strong support for Moscow. There’s no surprise about that: Mr Putin and Mr Xi share a similar world view, both embrace the idea of a multi-polar world.
Last year the two men declared their partnership has no limits. That’s not strictly true.
Up until now China has not supplied Russia with lethal aid to help it win the war in Ukraine, though the US claims China is considering doing so.
As for the declared partnership between Moscow and Beijing, Russia – with an economy a 10th the size of China’s – finds itself increasingly in the role of junior partner.
So the Chinese government definitely has some sway over Russia. Other elements driving interest in this visit are Beijing’s claim to be neutral and that it has not opposed speculation that it could act as an honest broker between Moscow and Kyiv.
It may not be a coincidence that Monday’s meeting takes place on the 20th anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq, which was opposed by both Russia and China.