According to videos posted by Chinese and Russian media, Putin and his delegation arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport on Tuesday morning. He was greeted by Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao as he stepped off the plane.
Russian President Vladimir Putin steps down from Beijing Capital International Airport on Tuesday morning (October 17). Photo: TASS
The Russian president arrived in China to attend the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and hold a series of bilateral meetings. His first day was mainly devoted to bilateral meetings with counterparts from other countries.
Also on Tuesday, the Russian president will attend a ceremony hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife to formally welcome the heads of delegations attending the Belt and Road Forum, which opens on Wednesday.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said at a press conference that President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin plan to hold an in-depth discussion on bilateral relations between Beijing and Moscow, as well as other issues of concern.
This will be Mr Putin's third time attending the Belt and Road Forum, following appearances in 2017 and 2019. The forum focuses on the Belt and Road Initiative, a grand plan launched by Mr Xi a decade ago that hopes to build a global energy and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Africa and Europe via land and sea routes.
President Putin praised the initiative, saying it was a platform for international cooperation where “no one imposes anything on anyone.” Economic and trade ties between Russia and China have strengthened significantly in recent times.
Hoang Hai (according to TASS, Xinhua News Agency)
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