President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin met in St Petersburg on the sidelines of the Group of Twenty (G20) meeting.

"Mr President, my good friend, thank you very much for your kind invitation to your hometown St Petersburg," Xi told Putin at the start of their meeting.

President Xi Jinping meets his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg on the sidelines of the Group of Twenty (G20) meeting, Sept 5, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]

This is the second time Xi has stepped on Russian soil in half a year. Russia was the first country Xi visited after he assumed office as president in March.

Xi said that in the past months both countries have been implementing more than 50 projects across a wide range of sectors in goals that were set by the two presidents at their meeting in March.

"I'm very glad of that," Xi said.

He also said the holding of G20 summit "reflects Russia's status and role as a major country".

"I express my heartfelt congratulations on this, and also wish the summit every success."

Xi also offered condolences to Russia after floods hit the far east of the country recently.

Putin said he was extremely glad to meet Xi in St Petersburg. He said he recognized that bilateral ties were advancing faSt

Xi arrived in St Petersburg on Wednesday for the eighth G20 summit scheduled for Thursday and Friday.