China's Xi says strong Russia ties a 'strategic choice'

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin in Beijing on Wednesday.  "Maintaining and developing China-Russia relations is a strategic choice made by both sides based on the fundamental interests of the two peoples," Xi told Mishustin in Beijing's Great Hall of the People.

Xi added that the countries should "continuously amplify the positive effects of high-level political ties" and "deepen cooperation in various fields." Mishustin said that ties between Moscow and Beijing had reached an "all-time high" during a discussion with his counterpart, Premier Li Qiang.  Mishustin's visit to China comes two months after President Vladimir Putin made a rare trip to China.