Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked Chinese leader Xi for his help in building "a strategic partnership based on national interests and deep mutual trust" in a statement to China's local media before his visit. Putin emphasised that this is why he made the first visit of his new presidential term to China. Putin also said that during his meeting with Chinese President Xi, both countries would endeavour to establish closer cooperation in the fields of 'industry and high technology, space and peaceful nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, renewable energy sources and other innovative sectors'. Pointing out that payments between the two countries are made in Russian and Chinese currency, Putin said, "Today, 90 per cent of all payments are already made in rubles and yuan."
