Zhang Hanhui, China's ambassador to Russia, said that Xi and Putin are expected to hold an important meeting to chart the course for the development of Sino-Russian ties in the new era.

Under the strategic guidance of the two leaders, the two countries "have built a new type of major-country relationship that transcends traditional military and political alliances", Zhang wrote in an article for the People's Daily newspaper, which was published on Tuesday.

The two countries "have set an example of mutual respect, frankness and sincerity, harmonious coexistence, and mutual benefit between major countries and neighboring nations", he said.

Putin, in his video address, said that Russia and China are implementing major initiatives "in key areas of our cooperation", and "our warm and friendly ties enable us to chart the boldest plans for the future and bring them to life".

Also on Tuesday, Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang met with Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov in Beijing, and the two sides pledged to further strengthen investment cooperation.

Ding called on both countries to give full play to the coordinating role of the China-Russia Investment Cooperation Committee, steadily advance key projects, expand areas of cooperation, achieve more practical outcomes and continue to inject strong impetus into the development of bilateral relations.

Manturov said that Russia is ready to strengthen strategic alignment with China, enrich the substance of cooperation, actively address issues of mutual concern and continuously raise the level of investment cooperation between the two countries.