STRENGTHENING TIES BETWEEN CHINA AND THE WORLD

Xi's overseas footprints over the year demonstrated his efforts to build stronger global partnerships.

In spring, he went to Europe, paying state visits to Italy, Monaco and France.

In summer, he visited Russia, Central Asia, the DPRK and Japan.

In autumn, he visited India and Nepal.

In winter, he went to Greece and Brazil. While in Beijing, Xi met with the Republic of Korea President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and held a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump.

On Dec 2, Xi had a video call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and jointly witnessed the launching ceremony of the China-Russia east-route natural gas pipeline, which is expected to benefit over 400 million people in nine provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities.

On his visit to Greece, Xi went to the Piraeus Port to inspect this flagship project of China-Greece cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. As of the end of November, China had signed 199 documents on the Belt and Road cooperation with 137 countries across the five continents and 30 international organizations.

"We should promote development through opening-up and deepen exchanges and cooperation among us," Xi said in his speech at the opening ceremony of the second China International Import Expo. "We need to 'join hands' with each other instead of 'letting go' of each other's hands. We need to 'tear down walls,' not to 'erect walls.' We need to stand firm against protectionism and unilateralism."