BEIJING (AP) — Xi Jinping is heading to Russia on his first foreign visit as president amid signs he wants China to be more assertive in challenging U.S. leadership in Asia while looking for new energy sources to fuel the Chinese economy.

Xi Jinping. Pic: AP.

Since Xi became China’s leader late last year, the country has notched up its feud with Japan over a set of disputed islands believed to sit atop petroleum reserves, while also contending with the U.S. and other Western powers at the U.N. over the conflict in Syria, Iran’s nuclear program and the growing belligerence of nominal ally North Korea.

Xi, who became Communist Party chief in November and was formally named president last week, visits Moscow on Friday to highlight trade ties and discuss Russian gas exports.