President Xi Jinping (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin review an honor guard during a welcome ceremony at the square outside the east gate of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday morning. Photo: Rao Aimin

Xi (left) and Putin walk during the welcome ceremony in Beijing. Photo: Liu Weibing

Xi holds talks with Putin at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday morning. Photo: Zhang Ling

Xi (right) and Putin issue the Joint Statement of the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation on Deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Coordination for the New Era on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in Beijing on Thursday morning. Photo: Rao Aimin

Xi delivers a speech as Putin sits on the stage during the opening ceremony of the China-Russia Culture Year and a special concert celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of China-Russia diplomatic relations at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing on Thursday afternoon. Photo: Gao Jie

Xi (right) holds a meeting with Putin in Zhongnanhai, Beijing, on Thursday evening. Photo: Ju Peng

Xi (front left) and Putin walk in Zhongnanhai, Beijing, on Thursday evening. Photo: Yue Yuewei