Xi says to continuously consolidate, develop China-Russia ties serves fundamental interests of both countries

The development of China-Russia relations in the past three-quarters of a century has shown that to continuously consolidate and develop bilateral relations featuring permanent good-neighborly friendship, comprehensive strategic coordination and mutually beneficial cooperation serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, meets the expectations of the international community and conforms to the trend of the times, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Sunday. 

Xi made the remarks as he exchanged messages of New Year greetings with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.