Chinese President Xi Jinping has awarded China's first-ever Friendship Medal to Russian president Vladmir Putin at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Our reporter Zheng Yibing witnessed the event.

A significant moment in this grand golden hall.

Chinese President Xi Jinping awarded the country's first Friendship Medal to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Xi expressed respect and admiration for Putin's contributions.

XI JINPING CHINESE PRESIDENT "Thanks to President Putin's efforts during these years, China-Russia relations have withstood the test of a volatile international situation. Our mutual trust in both politics and strategy has deepened. Cooperation in various fields has developed rapidly. This benefits the friendship between people of our two countries. It is a model of harmonious coexistence among big neighboring countries in the modern world."

The Russian president expressed his gratitude.

VLADIMIR PUTIN RUSSIAN PRESIDENT "I would like to emphasize our sincerity in treasuring the good-neighborly and friendly relations with the People's Republic of China. We will make achievements together in political, economic, scientific, cultural and other fields."

The Friendship Medal is China's highest state honor for foreign nationals.

The blue and gold medal includes a peace dove over the Earth, with shaking hands and lotus blossoms.

The new award is presented to foreigners who have made outstanding contributions to China's development, exchanges, and cooperation between China and other countries, as well as world peace.

ZHENG YIBING BEIJING "The medal embodies the everlasting friendship between Chinese people and people of other countries and expresses China's wish for common prosperity and development of all countries in the world. Zheng Yibing, CGTN, Beijing."