Putin congratulates Xi, hails cooperation: Kremlin

MOSCOW (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday congratulated Mr Xi Jinping on officially becoming China's president, hailing the two sides' "strategic partnership" and calling for even closer ties.

Mr Putin told Mr Xi, who is expected in Moscow later this month as part of his first foreign trip as president, that he also looked forward to meeting the Chinese leader, the Kremlin said.

In a telephone conversation, Mr Putin "expressed satisfaction with the development of strategic partnership between Russia and China," the Kremlin said in statement.

Mr Putin also "underscored (Russia's) interest in expanding cooperation in all areas, and also strengthening cooperation on the international arena."