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China's new president wraps up visit to Russia Chinese President Xi Jinping wrapped up his state visit to Russia, the first foreign destination after he took office earlier this month, and left Moscow on March 24 for Dar es Salaam, capital of Tanzania. African communities in China hail Xi's visit African communities in China are already speaking highly of Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming trip to Africa.

Xi's Visit to Russia

Schedule:

March 22	Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow Friday for a state visit to Russia, the first foreign trip after he took office last week.
	Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow, and signed a raft of documents on cooperation between the two countries.
	Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, attended on Friday evening the opening ceremony of the "Tourism Year of China" in Russia.
March 23	Xi delivered an important speech to students and teachers in a Moscow university, expressing China's views on the current international situation and elaborating on China's diplomatic policies.
	Xi met Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.
	Chinese President Xi Jinping attended a ceremony marking the start of the construction of a memorial dedicated to the 6th national congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) that was held in Moscow in 1928.
	Xi visited the Russian defense ministry, and met with Russian sinologists, Chinese-learning students and representatives from the press.
	Xi visited the Russian Armed Forces' Operational Command Center, becoming the first foreign leader ever to be allowed inside the "heart" of the Russian military establishment, according to the ministry.
March 24	Chinese President Xi Jinping wrapped up his state visit to Russia, the first foreign destination after he took office earlier this month, and left Moscow Sunday for Dar es Salaam, capital of Tanzania.

Viewpoints:

●Global Times
GT Editorial: Sino-Russian ties withstand test of time
Both China and Russia want to build all-round diplomacy. They do not want to spark confrontation with Western countries. More specifically, there is no need for China and Russia to align with each other to confront the US.

The closeness between Beijing and Moscow will naturally be a concern for Washington. If the US continues to see China and Russia through a Cold-War lens and takes moves against the two countries aimed at containment, Sino-Russian relations will be more reactive. Trilateral ties among these powers should underpin their dynamics.

New era of Sino-Russian tandem begins
Russia will be China's strategic rear, and a resource base; Beijing, for its part, will enhance Moscow's international standing and will also supply it with cash.

As China grows more powerful over time, the relationship will become increasingly tilted toward the stronger partner. Yet, it can be sustained if China is wise enough not to prick Russia's pride and not to challenge its sovereignty within its borders.

Beijing would also be wise not to step on Russia's toes in Central Asia, where Russia's influence is steadily declining.

Xi’s Moscow visit driven by mutual ties, Syrian cooperation
Sergey Luzyanin, first deputy director of the Institute of Far Eastern Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Xi's visit releases a very important message that in the realm of international politics, not all things can be measured or calculated by economic interest, as he would have set his first visit to US or Brussels if economic benefit was the only concern. Xi is quite far-sighted as he understands the bilateral and global value of these ties.

Wan Chengcai, a research fellow at the Center for World Affairs Studies of Xinhua News Agency
As the US has shifted its strategic focus to Asia-Pacific region, and in the meantime, there seems to be no end to the European debt crisis. In this new context, Chinese and Russian leaders need the opportunity to jointly assess the current world situation as well as its future direction and figure out ways to ensure its peace and stability.

●Xinhua
Xi's Russia trip attests new paradigm of state-to-stateties
Xi's visit will become a golden opportunity for both nations to forge strong personal ties at the top and grass-root levels.

The world has changed a lot over the past two decades, but the growing China-Russia cooperation remains a constant.

The solid China-Russia partnership stands out on the complex and volatile international landscape because it is truly built on trust, mutual benefit, the win-win principle and a desire for the common good of the world.

Backgrounder:

"National Year," "Year of Language," "Tourism Year" held in China, Russia
Basic facts about China-Russia relations
Major events of China-Russia energy cooperation

More reports:
Xi wraps up Russia visit with rare access to military base
China, Russia eye next step in ties
Xi calls for closer China-Russia cultural bond
Chinese president's Russia visit yields concrete results
Xi, top Russian legislator vow to enhance inter-parliamentary ties
Chinese president pledges to deepen strategic partnership of coordination with Russia
Xi hopes China, Russia to boost military ties
China, Russia vow to boost trade ties
China, Russia agree to promote legislative, local exchanges
Chinese, Russian presidents vow to enhance comprehensive strategic cooperation
Chinese and Russian presidents hold talks on bilateral ties
China, Russia eye breakthrough on oil deals
China's new president arrives in Moscow for state visit
Russia, China should further mutually beneficial cooperation -- Russian expert
President Xi's visit fresh impetus for China-Russia ties: ambassador
Chinese President says his Russian visit shows high level of partnership
Xi's Russia visit to strengthen economic ties

First Lady

China's first lady Peng Liyuan ●A well-known folk singer and actress ●One of the first people in China to obtain a master's degree in traditional ethnic music ●One of the founders of the School of National Vocal Music ●She produced and starred in the lead role in the opera Mulan Psalm, which was performed at New York City's Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and the Vienna State Opera House in Austria.

Viewpoints:

Chinese Media
●Phoenix TV
First lady Peng Liyuan has softened China’s diplomatic style and left an impression on the world, according to commentator Zheng Hao.

“As Peng stands at the center of the international stage, her wisdom, beauty, tenderness and passion for life stands testimony to all Chinese women,” he added.

●Global Times
Feng Shaolei, dean of the Advanced School of International and Regional Studies at East China Normal University
Peng's upcoming public debut as first lady shows China's push to follow in the footsteps of countries whose leaders are accompanied by their wives or partners on diplomatic trips.

"Peng is experienced in management and international exchanges. China has adopted this advanced idea of public diplomacy, and Peng's experience can help her shine on the international stage," Feng said.

Shi Yinhong, director of the Center on American Studies at the Renmin University of China
"World leaders being accompanied by their wives on diplomatic trips is an international routine. China has a good chance to make a favorable impression through Peng's charisma if the trip goes successfully."

Foreign Media
●Lianhe Zaobao
Peng is obviously qualified to be China’s first lady. As a well-known folk singer and actress, she has won over audiences for 30 years. We’re all curious to see how she translates those experiences in the political arena.

●The Wall Street Journal
The praise of Ms Peng, a famous folk singer, evoked the fuss over Michelle Obama in 2008 and built on expectations by many political analysts and diplomats that Ms Peng will bolster and soften her husband's image by becoming the first wife of a Communist Chinese leader to play a role similar to that of a US first lady.

Gallery:

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Source: ifeng.com - Globaltimes.cn

	Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming visit to Russia will inject new impetus into their strategic partnership, says Chinese Ambassador Li Hui.
	Philip S. Marmo, Tanzania's embassador to China, said Xi's visit will promote the friendly relationship between the two countries, which has been developing for a long time.
	Thembinkosi Gcoyi, economic counsellor of the South African Embassy in Beijing, said Xi's visit is significant, considering South Africa is among the first countries he will visit after being elected. Xi will also attend the fifth leaders' summit of BRICS countries, to be held from March 26 to 27 in Durban, South Africa.
	In Brazzaville, capital of the Republic of Congo, people are expecting Xi's visit to inspire a genial and fresh wind of "China Style" in the country.

Source: Xinhua

Xi's entourage includes his wife Peng Liyuan; Wang Huning, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Policy Research Office of the CPC Central Committee; Li Zhanshu, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee; and State Councilor Yang Jiechi.

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