China's new leader Xi Jinping visited Russia Friday on his first official foreign trip, as President Vladimir Putin praised ties between the world's largest and most populous nations, dpa reported. Both sides stressed their strategic partnership, but they did not sign a long-awaited gas deal between energy power Russia and the world's number two economy China, Russian state media said. Putin welcomed his guest, who took office this month, saying his visit would "give a new strong impetus to the development of Russian-Chinese relations," Itar-Tass news agency said. President Xi, joined by his wife, singer Peng Liyuan, said China also sought the "further enhancement of relations, development of comprehensive cooperation and strategic partnership." Their two-way trade was expected to top 90 billion dollars for 2012 - and the two nations aim to boost the volume to 100 billion dollars by 2015 and to 200 billion dollars by 2020. Russia and China were due to sign some 30 agreements - in areas such as engineering, energy, investment, culture and military technology, said Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Guoping. -- SPA 18:26 LOCAL TIME 15:26 GMT تغريد
