Vladimir Putin will visit China for talks with leader Xi Jinping on Thursday and Friday, the Kremlin said Tuesday, in the Russian president’s first trip abroad since his re-election in mid-March.
“At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin will pay a state visit to the People's Republic of China on May 16-17, in his first foreign trip since taking office,” the Kremlin said in a statement.
The two leaders “will discuss in detail the entire range of issues of their comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation, identify key directions for the further development of Russian-Chinese practical cooperation, and also thoroughly exchange views on the most pressing international and regional issues,” the Kremlin said, adding that Putin and Xi would release a joint statement following their talks.