President Hu Jintao and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, met in Moscow on Monday to exchange views on the development of the China-Russia strategic partnership of cooperation.

The two leaders are expected to discuss ways of furthering the China-Russia strategic partnership and expanding pragmatic cooperation, and to exchange views on important regional and international issues, according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry official.

Following their talks, Hu and Putin are expected to attend the ceremony of signing cooperation documents.

Later in the day, the two presidents will take part in the opening ceremony of the "Year of China" in Russia, designed to deepen friendship, enhance cooperation and promote the strategic partnership of cooperation between the two countries.

Hu flew into Moscow earlier Monday for a three-day state visit, during which he will meet other Russian leaders and attend activities marking the "Year of China."

During Hu's visit to Russia in July 2005, China and Russia agreed to mark the "Year of China" in Russia this year. The "Year of Russia" in China was marked last year.

In Moscow, Hu will also visit a Chinese national exhibition, one of the 200 events planned throughout the "Year of China" in Russia.

The exhibition will be the biggest comprehensive show China has held outside the country in almost three decades, Yu Guangzhou, vice minister of commerce, told a news conference in Moscow last month.

(Xinhua News Agency March 27, 2007)