China, Russia intensify partnership

Beijing and Moscow pledged on Thursday to intensify their comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era as President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a joint statement in Beijing highlighting the countries' commitment to enhancing bilateral ties.▲President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands on Thursday in Beijing after the two leaders signed a joint statement on deepening China-Russia relations. They also witnessed the signing of several intergovernmental and interagency cooperation documents. RAO AIMIN/XINHUAThe two countries also agreed that a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis is the right way out of the conflict.Putin arrived in Beijing on Thursday for a two-day state visit to China, his first foreign trip since being sworn in for a fifth term as Russian president on May 7. Xi held a grand welcoming ceremony for Putin before they held official talks at the Great Hall of the People.During their talks, Xi ………………………………