China's Xi to Putin: I am convinced the Russian people support you

Chinese leader Xi Jinping told President Vladimir Putin in talks at the Kremlin on Monday that he was "convinced" that Putin enjoyed the Russian people's support ahead of a presidential election scheduled for next year.

Speaking through an interpreter on the first day of his state visit to Russia, President Xi also thanked Putin for what he said was his support for China, and said that Beijing should have close relations with Moscow.