Wow, this was an interesting Google images journey, thanks.

Also, is it just my own personal bias, or would I be right to say that imagery with such close bonding between males (2 particular example links below) would not have been used in the west due to concern of being interpreted as gay?

http://www.daokedao.ru/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/navek...

https://cs14.pikabu.ru/post_img/2022/03/11/4/164697462011834...

I don't know. Such connotations may also depend not only on west / east, but also on time. Those placards are from 60-70 years ago I think.

See also https://www.google.com/search?q=%D1%81%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B5%D1%...

Interesting, but I would argue that this is actually supporting the West/East distinction, as this kind of imagery would have fit closely with the USSR's push to promote the communist "workers of the world unite" agenda.

Would you be able to find any similar western imagery from that time frame?

Similar in what sense? Close bonding between males? I don't know about that time frame, but Judas kissing Christ is a known theme, painted many times.

More likely the CCP intents to collaborate with Russia for various strategic/economic reasons, and media that criticizes Russia would make the CCP look bad by association.