President Xi Jinping has invited his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to visit China in 2023, Russian news agencies reported on Tuesday.

It comes as Xi arrived for a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in Moscow.

"Yesterday I invited President Putin to visit China this year at a time that is convenient for him," Xi told Mishustin at the meeting.

He also described Beijing and Moscow as "great neighbouring powers" and "strategic partners", saying the nation would "prioritise" ties with Russia.

He added Premier Li Qiang would "continue to prioritise the all-round strategic partnership between China and Russia".

The president, who arrived in Moscow on March 20, had already met Putin, as the two countries discuss deepening economic ties and Beijing's plan to resolve the Ukraine conflict. (Reuters/AFP)
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Last updated: 2023-03-21 HKT 17:19