Chinese President Hu Jintao has left Beijing for a state visit to Russia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia.

During his visit, he will attend the third summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to be held in Moscow and attend the celebration of St. Petersburg's 300th birthday. After that he will attend the North-South Leaders Informal Dialogue in Evian of France.

This is Hu Jintao's first visit abroad since he became Chinese President in March.

During his visit, President Hu Jintao will hold talks with leaders of Russia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia about bilateral relations, regional and international issues and the construction of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. He is also expected to meet US President Gorge W. Bush and French President Jacques Chirac and leaders from some developing countries.

(Cri.com May 26, 2003)