BEIJING – Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday awarded his Russiancounterpart Vladimir Putin the first-ever Friendship Medal of the People’sRepublic of China, the state run Xinhua news agency reported.
The ceremony was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, with WangHuning and Han Zheng, both members of the Standing Committee of thePolitical Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inattendance.
The ceremony started when 18 honor guards of the People’s Liberation Armymarched into the site at 5:55 p.m. The two heads of state stepped onto thestage, and the national anthem of China was played.
Friendship Medals, the highest state honor to foreigners, are presented toforeign friends who have made outstanding contributions to China’smodernization drive, promoting exchange and cooperation between China andthe world, and safeguarding world peace, Xi said when delivering a speech.
As a leader of major country with global influence, President Putin is “anold friend” and “a good friend” of the Chinese people, Xi said.
Thanks to President Putin, bilateral ties have withstood the test ofever-changing international situation, Xi said, noting the deepenedpolitical and strategic mutual trust, great progress in pragmaticcooperation in various fields, and the enhanced friendship between the twopeoples.
The China-Russia relations, standing at a high level, have benefited thetwo peoples and served as a model of harmonious coexistence of majorcountries and neighboring countries. Such relations have contributed to thebuilding of a new type of international relations and a community withshared future for humanity, Xi said.
Xi said he will work along with Putin to usher in even brighter future tothe relations between the two countries.
Wang Huning read out the order of award, which is conferred to recognizePutin’s long-time devotion and important contribution to goodneighborliness and friendship between Russia and China, and to thedevelopment of the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination.
Xi, in a solemn manner, awarded the medal to Putin. The two heads of stateshook hands cordially amid warm applause from the audience.
The national anthem of Russia was played.
Putin expressed great thanks for Xi awarding China’s first Friendship Medalto him, saying that it is not only the highest honor given to himself, butalso reflects the high level of Russia-China comprehensive strategicpartnership of coordination, as well as Chinese people’s profoundfriendship towards Russian people.
“We value the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership ofcoordination,” said Putin, adding that friendship between the heads ofstate and friendship between the two peoples are the solid foundation forthe bilateral strategic cooperation.
More than 700 people attended the ceremony.