On March 23, 2013, Xinhua reported that new Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the Russian Defense Ministry. This was the first time the head of the Chinese government visited Russia’s Ministry of Defense. It was also the first time any head of state paid a visit. The Russian Defense Minister welcomed Xi and guided the tour. Russian President Putin recommended this visit. It was seen as a gesture to demonstrate the close relationship between the two countries. Xi suggested that the military cooperation between the two countries is especially important in the “comprehensive strategic partnership” relationship the two are building. Xi spent quite some time experiencing the live operations of the Russian Federal Combat Command Center.
Source: Xinhua, March 23, 2013
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2013-03/24/c_124495586.htm