Putin focuses on trade, cultural exchanges during visit to China's Harbin after reaffirming ties with Xi

Open this photo in gallery: Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks in Harbin, China, on May 17.ALEXANDER RYUMIN/Getty Images Russian President Vladimir Putin focused on trade and cultural exchanges Friday during his state visit to China that started with bonhomie in Beijing and a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping that deepened their ” no limits ” partnership as both countries face rising tensions with the West. Putin praised China at a China-Russia Expo in the northeastern city of Harbin, hailing the growth in bilateral trade. He will also meet with students at Harbin Institute of Technology later Friday. Harbin, capital…