Russian President Dmitry Medvedev speaks as he is interviewed by Chinese journalists in Moscow, capital of Russia, May 20, 2008. Medvedev expected that his visit to China scheduled on Friday and Saturday could fruit rich and constructive results during the interview by China's Xinhua News Agency, People's Daily and China Central Television (CCTV). (Xinhua Photo)

A Chinese version of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's speeches has been launched at Beijing's Diaoyutai State Guesthouse to mark the Russian leader's China tour scheduled to start on Friday.

Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Li Hui, Russian Ambassador to China Razov Sergey and more than 50 Chinese and Russian delegates attended the ceremony on Thursday.

The book, Russian National Development Issues, is a collection of 13 speeches on important issues of Russia's development given by Medvedev during his tenure as vice prime minister from 2005 to 2008.

According to the publisher, World Affairs Press, the speeches cover a variety of topics, including affordable housing, education system reforms, and Medvedev's expectations for China-Russia relations after the Year of Russia in China in 2006 and the Year of China in Russia in 2007.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi wrote in the prelude that it was important for China and Russia as strategic partners to deepen mutual understanding, enhance exchanges and cooperation, and learn from each other.

The Chinese-version of Russian National Development Issues was a window for Chinese readers to see Russia's vigor, he said.

The China Nation Philatelic Corporation designed a set of special stamps and a commemorative envelope to mark Medvedev's visit to China.

Medvedev's China visit, on Friday and Saturday, is the first visit outside the Commonwealth of Independent States nations since he took office on May 7.

(Xinhua News Agency May 23,2008)