Xi presents friendship medal to Putin

President Xi Jinping conferred the Friendship Medal, the highest honor of China to foreigners, on Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday for his long-standing, prominent work in strengthening friendship and partnership between China and Russia.

A grand ceremony was held to award the medal at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. This is the first time the Friendship Medal has been awarded since China established its honor system in July last year.

Calling his Russian counterpart an intimate friend, Xi said at the ceremony that Putin is an influential leader of a major country who has made frequent visits to China and is well-known and highly respected by the Chinese people.