Chinese President Jiang Zemin will make a state visit to Russia from July 15 to 18, at the invitation of his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin announced Saturday.
Jiang and Putin will hold talks on "issues of mutual bilateral and international interest" and will "sign important political documents", a statement from the Russian presidency said without providing further details.
The Chinese leader will visit Moscow and the southern city of Volgograd, the statement said.
Jiang's visit will begin 48 hours after the International Olympic Committee is to announce in the Russian capital its decision as to whether Paris, Beijing or Toronto will host the 2008 Olympic Games.
ITAR-TASS reported last week, quoting diplomatic sources, that the two leaders would sign a strategic cooperation accord, and that military issues would be high on the agenda.
Putin and Jiang met June 14 in Shanghai with the presidents of four Central Asian republics that were formerly part of the Soviet Union.
After his trip to Russia, Jiang will travel to Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine and Malta from July 18 to 25, according to Chinese government sources – MOSCOW (AFP)
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