While meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Xi said the development of China-Russia relations enjoys strong internal dynamism and bright prospects as it goes with the trend of the times and the aspirations of both peoples.

China and Russia will hold activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations next year, Xi said, and strive for more visible results in bilateral practical cooperation.

He stressed the important guiding role the two countries' heads of state play in advancing the relationship, suggesting that the two sides should continue the annual tradition of mutual presidential visits.

China and Russia, he said, should strengthen the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative with the Eurasian Economic Union, and deepen cooperation in trade, finance, energy, technology sectors.

Xi urged the two countries to step up coordination in multilateral mechanisms including the G20 and BRICS, safeguarding the core values and basic rules of the World Trade Organization, supporting trade liberalization and opposing protectionism and unilateralism.

Putin spoke highly of the fruitful bilateral cooperation in various fields, citing fast-growing trade; steady progress in such areas as manufacturing, high technology and agriculture; smooth implementation of large-scale projects; and effective coordination in international and regional affairs.

Russia is committed to deepening cooperation and coordination with China to safeguard global peace and security and build an open world economy, Putin said.

China Daily / Xinhua