Moscow, July 4 (RHC)-- Chinese President Xi Jinping is in Moscow for what his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin has described as “a major event in bilateral relations.”  Xi arrived in Moscow on Monday for a two-day trip before he travels to Germany to take part in an upcoming G-20 summit in Hamburg. 

Before his departure for the state visit to Russia, Xi said: "Our two countries have built a high level of political and strategic trust… I believe the visit will lend new impetus to the growth of bilateral relations.” "Economic cooperation and trade is the most wide-ranging area in our practical cooperation and enjoys great potential." 

The Chinese leader also expressed hope that the G-20 will continue to "uphold the spirit of partnership for win-win cooperation.”  Xi Jinping said: "Global growth continues to gather momentum, as both developed countries and emerging markets show stronger economic performance.  However, grave challenges remain. Therefore, it is particularly important for the G-20 to play its role as a premier forum for international economic cooperation.” 

On Tuesday, Putin bestowed upon Xi one of Russia’s utmost honors, the order of St. Andrew the First-Called, for his extreme efforts towards bolstering ties between Russia and China.  Xi’s meeting with Putin is the third of its kind this year. 

According to Russia’s ambassador to China, Andrey Denisov, during the visit China and Russia will sign multiple contracts for the collective worth of over $10 billion in various fields.  “We’re discussing a number of draft documents, both on government and corporate levels.  And we have dozens of documents relating to the former group,” he added. 

He went on to note that close relations permit the two countries “to pursue a rather close course on various aspects of the agenda of international organizations, including the United Nations.” 

“When good intentions framed in lofty words lead to chaos, the collapse of states and, in the long run, to bloodshed and numerous human casualties, the role of stabilizers, of the factors that may have a cooling, stabilizing effect on the generally turbulent international situation is very important. And Russian-Chinese relations are, to my mind, such a stabilizing factor,” he added.