The steady development of China-Russia relations is not only in the fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples, but also conducive to peace, stability and prosperity of the region and the world at large, President Xi Jinping said during the meeting in Beijing with visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday.

Putin arrived in Beijing earlier in the morning for a two-day state visit to China, the first foreign trip since he was sworn in for the fifth term as Russian president on May 7.

Xi said that on the new journey, China is ready to work with Russia to stay each other’s good neighbor, good friend, and good partner that trust each other, continue to consolidate the lasting friendship between the two peoples, and jointly pursue respective national development and revitalization and uphold fairness and justice in the world.

During the meeting, Xi extended heartfelt congratulations to Putin and the people of Russia on his assuming office for the fifth term as Russian president and expressed his belief that under his leadership, Russia will surely make new and greater progress in national development.

He said that celebrating the 75th anniversary of the China-Russia diplomatic ties is a defining theme of the bilateral relationship this year.

After lasting three quarters of a century, China-Russia relations have grown from strength to strength despite the ups and downs and have stood the test of a changing international landscape, Xi said.

The relationship has become a fine example for major countries and neighboring nations to treat each other with respect and candor and pursue friendship and mutual benefit, he added.

Xi said that over the years, he and Putin have met more than 40 times and stayed in close communication, providing strategic guidance that has ensured the sound, steady and smooth development of the relationship. The China-Russia relationship today is hard-earned, and the two sides need to cherish and nurture it, he added.