Full coverage: China’s Leaders

Russian President Vladimir Putin is paying a state visit to China, at the invitation of President Xi Jinping. A welcome ceremony was held in Beijing, and the two leaders witnessed a signing ceremony for over 30 deals. Now President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin are holding a press conference. 

This is Putin's fourth trip to China since President Xi took office in 2013. The two leaders just met on Thursday during the SCO summit in Uzbekistan. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two nations, and the 15th anniversary of a treaty of friendship and cooperation. Ahead of his visit to China, Putin said mutual trust between the two neighbors has reached an unprecedented level, and laid a solid foundation for bilateral cooperation.