Vladimir Putin invites Xi Jinping to visit Russia next year during bilateral talks

President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin held bilateral talks this morning following a welcome ceremony for Putin.

Xi Jinping welcomed Putin's visit to China, noting that the two sides have maintained close contact for many years, jointly defining and deepening the China-Russia comprehensive partnership and comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership for a new era.

Xi said amid the chaotic and difficult situation, the trend towards peace, development, and cooperation remains.

China and Russia should work in the direction of long-term interests and build a more just and equitable global governance system through comprehensive strategic cooperation.

Putin invited Xi Jinping to visit Russia next year.

Putin, quoting a Chinese proverb, said, "A day apart feels like three autumns," expressing his pleasure at seeing Xi Jinping.

He said current China-Russia relations have reached an unprecedented high level, serving as a model of a truly comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation.

Putin said China and Russia are committed to building a more just and democratic world order. Russia fully supports China in hosting the APEC summit in Shenzhen this November.