Russian PM Putin starts official visit to China

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing Tuesday noon and started a two-day official visit to China.

During the visit at the invitation of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Putin will attend the 16th regular meeting between the two countries' premiers.

Chinese President Hu Jintao and chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Wu Bangguo will meet with Putin.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin will meet Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan and exchange views on Sino-Russian bilateral energy cooperation.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov will meet Chinese State Councilor Liu Yandong at the 12th meeting of the China-Russia people-to-people cooperation committee.

The regular meetings between Chinese and Russian prime ministers, first established in 1996, have become an important platform for guiding and coordinating bilateral cooperation.

Prior to his trip to China, Putin said the two countries "have enjoyed an unparalleled partnership" and that he believes the meetings with the Chinese leaders will see "a positive development" in bilateral relations.

Putin's official visit will be another significant event in the development of bilateral relations following the exchange of visits between Chinese President Hu Jintao and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Chinese Ambassador to Russia Li Hui told Xinhua on Sunday.

Thanks to the efforts from both sides, recent years have seen China-Russia relations reach unprecedentedly high levels, Li said, adding that the relationship between China and Russia has set a good example for international relations, especially relations between big powers.