China stresses Putin's expected visit

President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Beijing, April 28, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

President Xi Jinping told visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that China attaches great importance to Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to China later this year.

"I expect to embark on an in-depth exchange of views with President Putin about strengthening China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination," President Xi said on Thursday in Beijing.

Xi asked Lavrov to convey his greetings to Putin, and Lavrov conveyed greetings from Putin to Xi.

The two sides should strengthen two-way strategic and political mutual trust, and boost bilateral pragmatic cooperation, especially the cooperation on the major projects, Xi said.

The two sides could further strengthen communication and coordination upon major international and regional issues. The two sides should jointly promote the political settlement process of relevant issues, and contribute wisdom and solutions so that China and Russia can ensure peace and stability in the region and the world, Xi said.

Both China and Russia hope to strengthen cooperation within the framework of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, and push various parties for implementing the Security Outlook on Asia, Xi said.

Lavrov said Russia is ready to deepen the two-way ties, further promote high-level exchanges, deepen economic and cultural cooperation, and advance the relevant major projects.

Also, Russia is ready to enhance coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs and within multilateral organizations such as the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Lavrov added.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Antalya, Turkey, Nov 15, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]