Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Russia from March 20 to 22 at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced in a statement on Friday.

President Xi's visit will be a trip of friendship, cooperation and peace, said Wang Wenbin, another spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, at a regular press briefing.

In response to a question by China Media Group about the visit's arrangement, Wang said Xi will have an in-depth exchange of views with Putin on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues of common concern so as to promote strategic collaboration and practical cooperation between the two countries and inject new impetus into the development of bilateral relations.

Noting that the two leaders have maintained close contact in recent years, Wang said the presidents have guided the sustainable, sound and stable development of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era.

China and Russia have found a path of major-country relations featuring strategic trust and good neighborliness, setting a good example for a new paradigm of international relations, added the spokesperson.

'A trip of friendship, cooperation and peace'

As the profound changes unseen in a century have accelerated and the world has entered a new period of turbulence, the significance and influence of the relations between China and Russia, both permanent members of the Security Council of the United Nations and major countries in the world, go far beyond the bilateral sides, said Wang.

The visit will be a journey of friendship, which will further deepen mutual trust and understanding between China and Russia and consolidate the political foundation of and public support for friendship between the two peoples for generations, he said.

He noted that Xi's visit to Russia will be a trip of cooperation to promote mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, deepen the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Eurasian Economic Union, and help the two countries achieve their respective goals of development and revitalization.

The visit will also be a trip to foster peace, Wang said, noting that China and Russia will, on the basis of non-alignment, non-confrontation and non-targeting of any third party, practice true multilateralism, promote a multi-polar world and greater democracy in international relations, improve global governance, and contribute to world development and progress.

"China will continue to uphold its objective and just position on the Ukraine crisis and play a constructive role in promoting peace talks," the spokesperson said.

New blueprint for China-Russia relations

During the visit, Xi and Putin will draw a new blueprint for the future development of China-Russia relations and advance the deepening of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries in various fields, said Wang.

The relations between China and Russia are built on the basis of non-alliance, non-confrontation and non-targeting of third countries, he reiterated.

The two countries have always been committed to dialogue over confrontation and partnership over alliance, and developed a new type of major-country relations featuring mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, Wang added.

He also noted that China has always carried out regular economic and trade cooperation with all the countries in the world, including Russia, on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.

The cooperation between China and Russia is above-board, to benefit the two peoples and advance the development of the world, Wang emphasized. "It will not be interfered or coerced by any third party."

The way China and Russia develop their strategic partnership of coordination is completely different from some countries' insistence in Cold War mentality, forming "small cliques" and camp confrontation, and hegemonic bullying here and there, he said.

The spokesperson also reiterated that China has always taken a prudent and responsible approach to military exports.

China's position and practice have been consistent, he said, in stark contrast to some nations' double standards in terms of arms sales and adding fuel to fire in the Ukraine crisis.

Promoting talks over Ukraine issue

Noting that the purpose of China's foreign policy is to maintain world peace and promote common development, the spokesperson said Xi's visit is also to promote peace.

On the Ukraine issue, China has always stood on the side of peace, dialogue and the right side of history, said Wang.

Citing a paper China released last month on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, he said China's position can be summarized in one phrase, which is to urge peace and promote talks.

The Chinese side always believes that political dialogue is the only way out of conflicts and disputes, said Wang.

"Fanning the flames and imposing unilateral sanctions and extreme pressure will only escalate conflicts and heighten tensions, which is not in the interests and expectations of most countries in the world," he said.

He added, China will uphold its objective and impartial position on the Ukraine crisis and other international and regional hotspot issues, and continue to play a constructive role in a political settlement.

(With input from Xinhua)