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Upon arrival on a state visit to Moscow, President Xi Jinping stresses China will make developing its relationship with Russia a top priority of its diplomacy

China and Russia signed a joint statement to strengthen their key partnership on Friday after President Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow to start his first visit abroad since taking office last week.

The visit, during which more than 20 documents and deals were signed, will create the blueprint for future cooperation between Beijing and Moscow and "start a new era", experts and diplomats said.

It also testifies to the two countries' solid political ties and will deepen tangible cooperation, they added.

"China will make developing its relations with Russia a priority of its diplomacy," Xi said in a written statement released upon his arrival.

"Both China and Russia are at a crucial stage of their development and revival," he said in the statement. At present the two peoples hold higher expectations for bilateral ties and cooperation, he added.

On the eve of the visit, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the two countries' cooperation to promote "a more just world order".

"The fact that the new Chinese leader is making his first foreign visit to our country confirms the special nature of a strategic partnership between Russia and China," he said in an interview released by the Kremlin.

Xi and Putin held in-depth talks on Friday afternoon after the Chinese president laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier immediately after his arrival.

Xi pledged to deepen mutual political support. He also urged both sides to translate their high-level political ties into more fruitful political cooperation.

He also vowed to enhance coordination in global and regional affairs with Russia to guard their common strategic security.

Putin said Sino-Russian relations have become a "vital element" for international relations.

The two presidents witnessed the signing of agreements and deals in various areas, including trade, energy and culture.

（中國日報網英語點津 Helen 編輯）

About the broadcaster:

Emily Cheng is an editor at China Daily. She was born in Sydney, Australia and graduated from the University of Sydney with a degree in Media, English Literature and Politics. She has worked in the media industry since starting university and this is the third time she has settled abroad - she interned with a magazine in Hong Kong 2007 and studied at the University of Leeds in 2009.