China, Russia move toward full-fledged strategic partnership

BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Vladimir Putin included China in his first foreign trip after assuming the Russian presidency last year.

Xi Jinping, after his election as Chinese president last week, also chose Moscow to be the first foreign capital to visit as China's head of state.

The reciprocation reflects the fact that both countries see each other as the principal priority of their foreign relations, which was reaffirmed in a phone call made by Putin to congratulate Xi on his election.

The Russian leader told his new Chinese counterpart that the bilateral relationship is of great significance as it is a major contributor to world peace and stability.

Looking forward to the summit with Putin, Xi said he believed his upcoming visit would inject new vigor into the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination.

PRINCIPAL PRIORITY

The first foreign trip of China's new leader is widely deemed as an important diplomatic vane for the second largest economy in the coming decade.

"The first visit is a symbol, of course, but it is a very important symbol," Yakov Berger, a professor at Russia's Far East Institute, told Xinhua.

Like his predecessor Hu Jintao, who also picked Moscow as the destination of his first foreign trip after assuming office, Xi's choice is a continuation of China's diplomacy which prioritizes ties with Moscow, Berger said.

China and Russia are connected by many common interests, he said, adding that as giant neighbors who share long borders, they are interested in good-neighborhood relations.

"They are also interested in creating an environment of trust, accord and security in the region we share ... Third, both countries play important roles in global affairs, and their coordinated positions and cooperation could facilitate creation of a more just and favorable global order," he said.

In light of the high-level political mutual trust between China and Russia, it is only natural for the two countries' new leaders to act that way, analysts say. That demonstrates continuation and stability of China-Russia relations, they say.

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