Putin and Xi Jinping hold talks in Beijing

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have begun talks in Beijing.

Putin arrived at the Great Hall of the People on Tiananmen Square in central Beijing on Wednesday morning, where he was personally greeted by Xi Jinping.

At the start of the talks, Putin and Xi Jinping referred to each other as old friends.

"As far as we know, in China they say: we have not seen each other for a day, but it seems like three autumns have passed," Putin said.

The president described the treaty with China on good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation, whose 25th anniversary is being marked this year, as the foundation for developing cooperation in all areas. He recalled that trade turnover between the two countries has grown 30-fold during this period and exceeded $200 billion.

"Today our relations have reached an unprecedentedly high level, serving as a model of genuine comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction."

He noted that Russian-Chinese cooperation in foreign policy is one of the main stabilizing factors in international relations. Moscow and Beijing are striving to build a more just, democratic world order, and in the tense international situation the close linkage between the two countries is especially in demand, Putin stressed.

The president named the development of high technologies as a priority in bilateral relations, as well as cooperation in industry and agriculture. He also stated that Moscow and Beijing will continue the practice of a mutual visa-free regime.

Source: RIA Novosti