Encounters with Xi Jinping: He is a world-class statesman

Little more than a week after being elected Chinese President in early 2013, Xi Jinping embarked on his first state visit overseas. The destination he chose was Russia – a clear sign of the importance he gave to the relationship with China's vast neighbor. Since then, that relationship has grown stronger, cemented by more than 30 meetings between Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin in which the two leaders have developed considerable mutual respect as well as a warm friendship.