Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Beijing for a state visit to China.

A welcome ceremony hosted by President Xi Jinping has been held at the Great Hall of the People.  This is Putin's fourth trip to China since President Xi took office in 2013. The two leaders just met on Thursday during the SCO summit in Uzbekistan.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two nations, and the 15th anniversary of a treaty of friendship and cooperation.

Ahead of his visit to China, Putin said mutual trust between the two neighbors has reached an unprecedented level, and laid a solid foundation for bilateral cooperation.