Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the ceremonies held on the afternoon of June 8 to present the first-ever friendship medal of the People's Republic of China to Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People.
The president congratulated Putin on winning the first friendship medal, and also expressed his respect and admiration for Putin's contribution and efforts to building a peaceful world.
It is the first time China has bestowed the national friendship medal to members of the international community who have contributed significantly to China's socialist modernization drive, exchange and cooperation between China and the world, and safeguarding world peace.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is paying a state visit to China and attending the 18th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) from June 8 to10.
