Xi vows to continue improving Russia ties

China's Party chief guaranteed on Wednesday that Beijing will not change its diplomatic priority of developing Sino-Russian relations, as the third meeting of the dialogue mechanism between the countries' two ruling parties took place in Beijing.

Xi Jinping, China's top political leader and head of the military, told the representatives from Russia's ruling party, United Russia, that the new Chinese leadership will not change its friendship policy toward Russia and its strategy to develop preferential Sino-Russian ties.

China sees Russia as one of its most important strategic partners and will favorably maintain and develop the comprehensive Sino-Russian strategic partnership, he added.