UPDATE 2 - China, Russia sign declaration to 'deepen strategic partnership'

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS, CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE; EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Gizem Nisa Cebi and Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – Beijing and Moscow on Thursday signed a joint declaration to "deepen strategic partnership" as Russian President Vladimir Putin began his two-day state visit to China.

The joint statement on deepening strategic partnership for "a new era" was signed by Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing as the two nations marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties, an official communique said.

Earlier, during a bilateral meeting, Xi told Putin that Beijing’s relations with Moscow contribute to “global peace and stability."

“The stability and development of China-Russia relations not only serve the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples but also contribute to regional and global peace, stability and prosperity," he said.

Xi held a welcoming ceremony for Putin, who arrived earlier in the day, at the Great Hall of the People.

It is Putin's first visit since beginning his fifth term as president following an election in March.

China and Russia declared a "no limits" partnership in February 2022 when Putin visited Beijing, just days before launching a "special military operation" in Ukraine.

Xi visited Russia in March last year, and the two most recently met at the 3rd Belt and Road Forum in October in the Chinese capital.

“China-Russia relations have grown from strength to strength despite the ups and downs, and have stood the test of changing international landscape,” Xi said.

“The relationship has become a fine example for major countries and neighboring countries to treat each other with respect and candor, and pursue friendship and mutual benefit."

Beijing and Moscow have "weathered storms and stood the test of international changes, establishing a model of mutual respect, frankness, harmony and win-win cooperation between major and neighboring countries," the Chinese leader said.

- ‘New starting point’

The Chinese president said Beijing was "ready to work with Russia to stay each other’s good neighbor, good friend and good partner that trust each other, continue to consolidate the lasting friendship between the two peoples, and jointly pursue respective national development and revitalization and uphold fairness and justice in the world."

Beijing and Moscow, Xi said, “should take the 75th anniversary of the diplomatic ties as a new starting point” in bilateral ties.

The two sides should “further synergize development strategies, and continue to enrich the bilateral cooperation, to bring greater benefits to the two countries and peoples.”

Xi said he was ready to work with Putin to “jointly steer the future direction of the bilateral relations and make new plans for cooperation between the two countries in various fields.”

“Both China and Russia are permanent members of the UN Security Council and major emerging markets. It is the shared strategic choice of both countries to deepen strategic coordination, expand mutually beneficial cooperation and follow the general historical trend of multipolarity in the world and economic globalization,” he added.

The duo later held a joint news conference where Putin said the Russian-Chinese trade turnover has reached a new milestone, hitting $240 billion.

Besides meeting Xi and other Chinese officials, Putin is scheduled to visit the Harbin Institute of Technology, known as “China’s MIT.” It is one of the Chinese institutions targeted by US with sanctions.