Top three stripped of medals in Beijing half marathon

Putin and Xi Announce Plans to Strengthen Partnership

Putin and Xi Announce Plans , to Strengthen Partnership. Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on May 16 for a two-day visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, 'The Guardian' reports. . In a May 15 interview with China's state-run news agency, Xinhua, . Putin referenced the "unprecedented level of strategic partnership between our countries" as the reason for his first foreign trip since beginning his fifth term as Russia's president. . The two leaders signed a joint statement on May 16 declaring a "new era" of partnership. The China-Russia relationship today is hard-earned, and the two sides need to cherish and nurture it, Xi Jinping to Vladimir Putin, via Reuters. China is willing to ... jointly achieve the development and rejuvenation of our respective countries, and work together to uphold fairness and justice in the world, Xi Jinping to Vladimir Putin, via Reuters. The joint statement also criticized the United States. The United States still thinks in terms of the Cold War and is guided by the logic of bloc confrontation... , Via joint statement. ... putting the security of 'narrow groups' above regional security and stability, which creates a security threat for all countries in the region, Via joint statement. The U.S. must abandon this behavior, Via joint statement. After attending a concert on May 16, Putin and Xi will go for a walk in the park to talk and then have tea and dinner with other Russian delegates. The following day, the two men will visit Harbin, once called "Little Moscow," to pay tribute to the city's Russian influence

WATCH: Putin gets red-carpet welcome in Beijing

Russia's president met his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Thursday as the two pledged to deepen already close ties.