Russia: China is Russia's key strategic and economic partner - Putin

China is Russia's top strategic partner, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in Moscow, Friday. Speaking at a joint press conference with Chinese President Xi Jinping, following the signing of some 40 documents on enhancing the strategic partnership between the two countries, Putin highlighted the economic partnership between Russia and China announcing the figures of mutual trade in 2014, which amounted $88.4 billion (€78.5 billion). Putin added that the economic partnership between the countries will be expanded in both the energy and the investment sector. The Russian leader concluded his statement saying that the ultimate objective is to create a common economic space within the Eurasian continent. Among the agreements signed were a joint statement on deepening strategic and mutually beneficial cooperation, signed by the two leaders; agreements between Gazprom and China's CPC on gas deliveries to China; documents on cooperation in information security; a contract on opening a credit line to finance trade corporations between China and Russia; an agreement to establish a joint company on leasing Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircrafts in China and other Asian countries and an agreement to boost the partnership in space exploration and contracts to boost the economic relations between the two countries, such as strengthening the Russia-China Investment Fund (RCIF). Later on Friday, Xi Jinping will meet Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev. The Chinese leader's visit to Moscow runs from May 8-10, during which he will also attend Moscow's 2015 Victory Day parade on May 9, which marks the 70th anniversary of Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War (World War II). Chinese servicemen are taking part in the parade for the first time. Following his trip to Russia, the Chinese leader will visit Belarus from May 10-12.