Russia, China Leaders Meet in Kremlin

MOSCOW, March 22 (RIA Novosti) – Russian President Vladimir Putin and newly elected Chinese President Xi Jinping are meeting at the Kremlin to discuss bilateral relations and give new impetus to the strategic partnership between Russia and China.

Xi is on a three-day visit to Russia – his first foreign visit since assuming office as Chinese leader on March 14.

The sides are expected to sign about 20 documents, including a manifesto outlining the future development of Sino-Russian relations and key cooperation areas between the two countries.

Experts believe that Xi’s visit will give the Sino-Russian strategic partnership “new weight and new influence” in the world.

Trade between China and Russia stood at a record-high $88.16 billion in 2012, up 11.2 percent year on year, and China has been Russia's biggest trade partner for three years running.