Chinese President Xi Jinping has held talks with visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Shanghai. Before their meeting, President Xi held a welcoming ceremony for his Russian counterpart.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (front L) holds a welcoming ceremony for Russian President Vladimir Putin (front R) before their talks in Shanghai, east China, May 20, 2014. [Xinhua]?

Putin arrived on Tuesday for a state visit and to attend the CICA summit. Experts say Russia continues to consider China a main international partner, and Putin's trip will look to strengthen their cooperation.

The two leaders signed a joint statement declaring that the two countries had entered a new stage of their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. The leaders also witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation agreements, which covered energy, telecom and aviation.