Russia first 2014 overseas destination for Chinese president

Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympic Games in Russia from Feb. 6 to 8, making the country the first overseas destination the president will visit for the second consecutive year. This will be the first time a Chinese president has attended such a major international sports event hosted in another country, Vice Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping said on Tuesday at a press briefing. It fully shows the height and specialty of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination, friendship of the two heads of state and mutual support for each other's major concerns, Cheng said. It also shows China's support to the Olympic Games, Cheng said. During his stay in Russia, Xi will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to exchange views on bilateral ties and other issues, Cheng said, describing it a "good beginning" of the bilateral relationship in 2014. The 22nd Winter Olympics are due to take place from Feb. 7 to 23 with 98 sets of medals to be contested. Xi will visit Chinese delegates in Sochi. Russia was the first stop of Xi's maiden foreign trip in March, 2013 since taking office.