Xi arrives in Moscow for state visit to Russia

MOSCOW - At the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here on Monday afternoon for a state visit to Russia through Wednesday.

Xi's plane arrived at the Moscow Vnukovo Airport around 13:00 local time. As he stepped out of the plane, Xi was warmly greeted by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko and other senior Russian officials by the ramp.

The Russian side held a grand welcome ceremony at the airport. The military band played the national anthems of China and Russia. Xi inspected the honor guard of the three services and watched the march-past.

Xi delivered an arrival statement, extending warm greetings and best wishes to the Russian government and people on behalf of the Chinese government and people.

He stressed that China and Russia are friendly neighbors connected by shared mountains and rivers, adding that the two countries have consolidated and grown the bilateral relationship on the basis of no-alliance, no-confrontation and not targeting any third party, and set a fine example for developing a new model of major-country relations.

The growth of China-Russia relations has not only brought tangible benefits to the people of the two countries, but also made important contributions to the development and progress of the world, he said.

Noting that both being major countries in the world and permanent members of the UN Security Council, Xi said that China and Russia play important roles in international affairs.

In a world of volatility and transformation, China will continue to work with Russia to safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, he said.

China will work with Russia to uphold true multilateralism, promote a multipolar world and greater democracy in international relations, and help make global governance more just and equitable, he said.

He expressed confidence that the visit will produce fruitful results, and inject fresh impetus into the sound and steady growth of China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era.