Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Russia next week, where he will meet President Vladimir Putin. It will be the first visit to Russia for Xi in this new presidential term. And a pair of China's most iconic animals will be going along too. CGTN reporter Wang Hui has more.

It's the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between two neighbors. President Xi Jinping will meet President Vladimir Putin for a welcome dinner and gala as part of Xi's Russia visit next week. He'll visit Putin's alma mater - the Saint Petersburg State University - which will grant Xi an honorary doctoral degree. China, in turn, will provide two pandas to the Moscow Zoo. The two sides will also sign a series of important documents and agreements.

ZHANG HANHUI, VICE FOREIGN MINISTER "One is about bilateral ties, and the other is about international security. They will also witness the signing of about 30 documents, covering various areas, including trade and the economy, energy and investment."

The Chinese Foreign Ministry describes the visit as a milestone to start a new era in bilateral ties.

ZHANG HANHUI, VICE FOREIGN MINISTER "The two presidents will summarize the development of the bilateral ties from the past 70 years, and make strategic plans for the future. The core idea is to facilitate the upgrading and quality-improvement of bilateral ties, and launch a new era within the high-level and remarkable development of bilateral relations."

The visit also aims to bolster the two countries' political foundations, better support the other, and ensure that bilateral relations will not be disturbed by changing global conditions. 

WANG HUI "Zhang also touched upon the China-U.S. trade dispute. He has called America's actions, quote, 'economic terrorism'. He says that China and Russia have a broad consensus and common interests in this issue. The two countries will strengthen cooperation in various areas. Zhang believes the two countries will handle outside challenges well, develop the countries' economies, and protect their sovereignty, safety and dignity."

WANG HUI, CGTN, BEIJING.