Putin says close Moscow-Beijing ties especially important amid global tensions

Russian President Vladimir Putin is on an official visit to China, where he held talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Here are highlights from Putin’s statements made during the meeting with Xi Jinping:

• Trade turnover between Russia and China has increased more than 30-fold over the past quarter century.
• Russia and China will continue their visa-free travel regime.
• Putin invited Xi Jinping to visit Russia next year.
• Close ties between Moscow and Beijing are especially important given the tense situation on the international stage.
• Putin said he will attend the APEC summit in Shenzhen in November.
• Russia and China support cultural and civilizational diversity, as well as respect for the sovereign development of states.