Pomp and fanfare at the Kremlin as Chinese leader Xi Jinping meets Russian President Vladimir Putin, on his first foreign trip as president.<br/> <br />The trip underlines Beijing's growing alliance with Moscow as both try to bolster their clout as financial and geopolitical counterweights to Washington.<br/> <br />Putin told Xi he was grateful for China's decision to visit Russia first and said the visit showed how much effort both countries put into building their relationship.<br/> <br />In response, Xi said Russian-Chinese relations were at their best and the two shared wide mutual interests.<br/> <br />He added that further development of their relationship was in the interest not only of their governments but also of their people.<br/> <br />Just before Xi arrived in Moscow with first lady Peng Liyuan, a $2billion deal was announced by Russian and Chinese companies to develop coal resources in eastern Siberia.<br/> <br />Russia is the world's largest energy producer and China its biggest consumer.
