Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. (Source: TASS)

Russia’s ties with China are "developing progressively along the path of friendship and strategic partnership, they are of a truly unprecedented nature", Putin said at the start of their meeting in Beijing. Russia and China are an "example of a dignified relationship", he added. 

Putin said that ahead of the meeting Moscow prepared a new contract for the supply of 10 billion cubic metres of natural gas to China. 

The two leaders attended the Winter Olympic opening ceremony later in the evening.

"As good friends and politicians who share many common views on solving world problems, we have always maintained close communication,” said Putin. 

Xi said he believed the meeting would "inject more vitality into China-Russia relations.”