Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) holds a welcoming ceremony for Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev before their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 10, 2015.

China and Azerbaijan on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt.

"The signing of the MOU shows that the substantial cooperation between the two countries has entered into a new stage," Chinese President Xi Jinping told his Azeri counterpart Ilham Aliyev in talks.

The two presidents also signed a joint statement on developing friendly relations of cooperation, and witnessed the signing of a series of deals in areas including trade, the judiciary, civil aviation, education, transportation and energy.

Speaking highly of Azerbaijan's support to China's Belt and Road initiative, Xi said China is ready to strengthen communication on policies with Azerbaijan and integrate both sides' development strategies.

The Belt and Road refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.