Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday morning, kicking off a two-day state visit to China at the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao.

During the visit, Hu will hold talks and exchange views with Putin on further increasing China-Russia strategic and cooperative partnership as well as major international and regional issues of common concern. The two heads of state will also attend the opening ceremony of the Year of Russia and a Sino-Russian business summit forum.

Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, and Premier Wen Jiabao will also meet with Putin respectively. China and Russia will sign a series of documents on bilateral cooperation.

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said the visit is expected to boost the all-round development of the Sino-Russian Strategic Partnership of Cooperation, and facilitate world peace, stability and development.

(Xinhua News Agency March 21, 2006)