Russia's Vladimir Putin meets 'old friend' Xi Jinping of China. What happened next? Deals, concert and tea ceremony
discussed measures to “deepen" their strategic cooperation and partnership. A lot happened on the first day of Putin's visit to China. Here's all you need to know: Xi Jinping welcomed Putin, saying, “Dear President Putin, my old friend, we welcome your participation in the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation." Later, the two leaders held a key meeting on Thursday.
They “concluded a sincere and cordial meeting covering many topics", Xi was quoted by Xinhua news agency as saying. As per the report, they reviewed “successful experience" in developing the China-Russia relationship over the past 75 years. ALSO READ: 'Monstrous, horrific': Vladimir Putin, Joe Biden, others condemn attack on Slovak PM Robert Fico They also had an in-depth exchange of views on the relationship and major international and regional issues of mutual interest.
They further “charted the course forward for Sino-Russian relations and cooperation across the board", Xinhua news reported. Xi hailed China-Russia ties as “conducive to peace", as per China's foreign ministry. The two sides vowed to deepen their partnership and declared a “no-limits friendship".
“Russian and Chinese are brothers forever," Putin reportedly said. The Russian leader characterised relations between Moscow and Beijing, quoting a 1940s song. Speaking ahead of a concert dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Russia-China partnership, Putin was quoted by TASS as saying, "...There is a famous song from that time, it was created 75 years ago, but is often sung today: there is a quite famous line in it: 'Russian and Chinese are brothers forever'." "I am sure that we will continue to strengthen the fraternal spirit of the harmonious Russian-Chinese partnership," the
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