Chinese President Xi Jinping will touch down in Russia Wednesday to meet his "best friend" President Vladimir Putin, cementing economic ties between Moscow and Beijing amid China's heated trade war with the United States. The Chinese leader is expected to spend three days on the state visit to Russia that coincides with the annual St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, and will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
In an interview with Russian state media TASS ahead of the trip, Xi called Putin his "best and bosom friend," adding he cherished their "deep friendship." "My engagement with President Putin is built on a high degree of mutual trust. That is the solid foundation of our close friendship. We treat each other with respect, candor, understanding and trust," he said.
