Xi arrives in Moscow for state visit

Moscow, July 3 (IANS) Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here on Monday, embarking on his second state visit to Russia since taking office in 2013.

In a written speech released upon arrival, Xi noted that the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination is "at its best in history", Xinhua news agency reported.

The Chinese leader said the two countries, both staunch supporters of each other's core interests, have engaged in aligning the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative with the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union.

Beijing and Moscow, faced with complicated international situation, have played their due role in promoting win-win cooperation in international relations and securing regional and global peace and stability, he said.

"This is my sixth tour to Russia since assuming office," Xi said, adding that he looks forward to in-depth exchange of views with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on bilateral cooperation and major international and regional issues of common concern.

"One needs good partners to walk with and good neighbours to live with," he noted.

Xi will hold talks with top Russian leaders during his stay in a bid to deepen political trust and map out the future bilateral cooperation, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Li Huilai said at an earlier press conference.

"China and Russia are each other's most trustworthy strategic partners," Xi told the Russian media ahead of his visit, adding that the 4,300-km border line between the two countries had become a bond of friendship.

Xi and Putin, boasting close working relationship and intimate personal friendship, have met with each other 22 times in five consecutive years.

During Xi's visit, the two sides will also sign a slew of cooperation agreements in trade, economy, investment, connectivity, media and education.

They will also approve guidelines to better implement the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation between China and Russia in 2017-20.

China and Russia are now jointly developing the Arctic region and working on the development of a wide-body long-haul aircraft.

"Considering the wide prospect of China-Russia economic cooperation, there is nothing to fuss about if something goes wrong in this process," said Chen Yurong, a senior researcher in Eurasian studies at the China Institute of International Studies.

From Moscow, Xi will fly to Germany, where he will pay a state visit to the European country and attend the upcoming summit of the Group of 20 major economies.