The Kremlin: Putin will make an official visit to China on Tuesday
The Kremlin confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to China today for a two-day official visit at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The Kremlin explained that the visit’s program would be packed, noting that the Russian delegation was large and that the two sides planned to sign approximately 40 documents, both at the governmental and commercial levels.
The agreements focused on strengthening bilateral ties in the fields of industry, transportation, nuclear energy, and humanitarian affairs.
The two leaders will also discuss the full spectrum of bilateral relations, including sensitive issues, and exchange views on international and regional matters.
Putin and Xi Jinping are expected to discuss in detail cooperation in the energy sector and issues related to the Power of Siberia-2 gas pipeline project.
Putin’s current visit to China coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation, which was signed on July 16, 2001 in Moscow.
Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov noted that both Moscow and Beijing attach utmost importance to the visit.
The Kremlin said that Russia-China relations are a model of cooperation between neighboring countries and are based on the principles of mutual assistance, support and friendship, stressing that bilateral relations are developing exceptionally well and have reached an unprecedentedly high level.
Ushakov noted that following a February conversation between Putin and Xi, the dates for Russia’s current visit to Beijing were agreed upon a few days later.
He emphasized that there were no connections between the Russian leader’s visit and US President Donald Trump’s visit to China last week.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the Putin-Xi talks would be independent and unrelated to the agenda of Trump’s recent visit.
However, he noted that the Kremlin was closely monitoring reports of negotiations between the Chinese and US leaders and hoped to obtain firsthand information during the Russian delegation’s visit to Beijing.
Putin’s visit to China begins on Tuesday, as upon his arrival in Beijing, he will be formally welcomed at the airport and will be received by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
May 20th is the first working day of the official visit, during which talks will be held between Putin and Xi Jinping with a limited number of officials from both sides, followed by an expanded meeting that includes the delegations.
Ushakov explained that the Russian delegation would consist of 39 people, including five deputy prime ministers, eight federal ministers, representatives from the presidential administration, as well as heads of government institutions and major companies, governors of several Russian regions, and rectors of a number of universities.
A large package of practical intergovernmental, inter-ministerial, and trade agreements—approximately 40 documents—has been prepared for the visit, according to the Kremlin.
Following the negotiations, the two leaders will issue statements to the media and then participate in the opening ceremony of the celebrations marking the “Years of Mutual Russian-Chinese Cooperation” in the field of education.
The visit won’t be limited to official events, also, Putin will meet with Chinese engineer Peng Pei, who was a child when he welcomed the Russian president during his first visit to China in 2000.
On Wednesday evening, Putin is scheduled to have a conversation with the President of China over a cup of tea, a key event of the visit.
The Kremlin indicated that this type of meeting will allow the two leaders to discuss important issues in a friendly and trusting atmosphere, including international matters.
