Putin agrees to Belt and Road link

President Xi Jinping meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit on June 23, 2016. [Photo by Li Tao/Xinhua]

The upcoming visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to China is "of special significance" in light of the two countries' joint efforts to boost mutual political and strategic trust, President Xi Jinping said on Thursday.

China would like to stress the idea of being friendly for generations with Russia, a notion mentioned in the treaties signed by the two countries, Xi said.

Putin's state visit to China starts Saturday.

Xi made the remarks while meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit.

China would like to connect the country's Belt and Road Initiatives with Russia's construction of a Europe-Asia economic coalition, Xi said, adding that the two countries will strengthen coordination on global and regional affairs.

The SCO member states should support each other and settle any disputes through dialogue and negotiation, Xi said.

The Chinese president also called for joint efforts on security between SCO members, including Russia, and improving the mechanisms of the war against drugs.