China, Russia hail ties ahead of presidential visit
The leaders of China and Russia applauded on Monday the solidity of their alliance as President Xi Jinping headed to Moscow for a summit with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. "My upcoming visit to Russia will be a journey of friendship, cooperation and peace," Xi wrote in a signed article in Russian newspaper Russian Gazette that was also carried by Xinhua News Agency. "I look forward to working with President Putin to jointly adopt a new vision, a new blueprint and new measures for the growth of China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination in the years to come." On Ukraine, President Xi wrote, "There is no simple solution to a complex issue. We believe that as long as all parties embrace the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and pursue equal-footed, rational and results-oriented dialogue and consultation, they will find a reasonable way to resolve the crisis as well as a broad path toward a world of lasting peace and common security." The Foreign Ministry said last week that Beijing would play a constructive role in promoting peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow. Xi is on a state visit to Russia from March 20-22. (Additional reporting by Xinhua/AFP)