Vladimir Putin Gets China's First Friendship Medal

President Xi Jinping on Friday gave visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin China's first friendship medal, and called him his best friend.

Putin is in China for a weekend summit of the Chinese and Russian-led security bloc the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in the port city of Qingdao, but dropped by Beijing first for talks with Xi.

Meeting in Beijing's Great Hall of the People, Xi lauded their relationship. "No matter what fluctuations there are in the international situation, China and Russia have always firmly taken the development of relations as a priority," Xi told Putin at the start of their formal talks.

Xi then awarded Putin China’s first ever friendship medal, on a large gold coloured chain - an event carried live on state television.

Xi, speaking just before he put the medal on Putin, called him a "good and old friend of the Chinese people." "President Putin is the leader of a great country who is influential around the world," Xi said. "He is my best, most intimate friend."

Putin offered his thanks for the medal. "I see this as an acknowledgement and an evaluation of Russia's efforts to develop a comprehensive strategic partnership with China," he said.

"This is an indication of the special attention and respect on which our mutual national interests are based, the interests of our peoples, and, of course, our personal friendship."

The warm welcome stands in contrast to the general view of Putin in most Western countries. (Reuters)