Xi Jinping: Russia-China ties 'guarantee world peace'

 Xi Jinping has said China's friendship with Russia guarantees "strategic balance and peace" in the world, on the second day of his trip to Moscow.

Bilateral trade reached a record $88bn last year, but the figure is stil

 

Mr Xi told students at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations that China would continue to oppose interference in the internal affairs of other countries.

"We must respect the right of each country in the world to independently choose its path of development," he said.

"Strong high-level Chinese-Russian ties not only meet our interests, but serve as an important, reliable guarantee of international strategic balance and peace."

During the Cold War the two countries, while both nominally Communist, were bitter rivals.

But both sides have been full of praise for each other during Mr Xi's visit.

"We can already say this is a historic visit with positive results," Mr Putin said.

Mr Xi was confirmed as China's president last week, concluding a lengthy transition process that saw him assume the Communist Party leadership in November 2012.

Commentators say he is much more charismatic than his predecessor, Hu Jintao.

On the first day of his trip to Russia, Mr Xi stepped off the plane with his wife, well-known singer Peng Liyuan.

Ms Peng's appearance was widely reported in China's state media, and caused an outpouring of debate on microblogs.

One message on the Sina Weibo website said: "China's quest for a graceful first lady is over."