During Putin's visit in Beijing, he and Chinese President Xi Jinping will discuss cooperation in trade, investment, and economic development. For more on the likely deals to be signed by the two leaders, we are joined by my colleague Zheng Yibing in the studio.

Q1. Yibing. Tell us what deals are expected to be signed during Putin's visit to Beijing?

The bilateral business deals are definitely a focus during Putin’s visit to Beijing this week. Although the final deal will not be known until the last minute as usual, we could still get an idea from the estimations from many sides.

According to the Kremlin, more than 30 deals will be on the signing table. Unlike the earlier simple trade in goods, they are mostly an exchange of investment projects. These deals cover various areas, such as energy, agriculture, transportation, aerospace and military technical cooperation. They not only involve bilateral business, but push for the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Eurasian Economic Union.

Russia is expected to discuss the sale of 19.5 percent of shares in the Russian national oil company to China. Both countries will sign deals on wheat supplies to China, and establishing a cargo terminal for grain in Russia. And a multibillion-dollar high-speed rail deal is expected to be signed.

Both leaders will also discuss joint programs on developing wide-bodied airliners and heavy civil helicopters, as well as extended military cooperation. An agreement for the supply of Russian RD-180 rocket engines would be awaiting the Russian president’s signature. The deals also include new areas, such as Chinese companies investing in North Caucasus tourism.

Q2. Among all these deals, energy and transportation are believed to be the most important. Give us some further details about them.

Cooperation in energy and transportation industries is likely to top the agenda for both leaders. Russia is rich in oil and gas reserves, and in need of high-speed rail construction. So, Putin is expected to bring these investment projects closer to implementation.

South China Morning Post recently reported two Chinese state banks agreed to lend over US$12 billion to develop a liquefied natural gas plant in the Russian Arctic. If implemented, the deal would make China the biggest consumer of Russian gas, importing 68 billion cubic metres annually.

And Putin's visit will likely be a chance to make breakthroughs on the stalling Russia-China gas pipeline projects. The two leaders are expected to sign a 6.2 billion-dollar high-speed rail deal connecting the Russian cities of Moscow and Kazan. The route is about 770 kilometers long, and trains a top speed of 400 kilometers per hour.

Another project is the $460 million railway linking Russia's eastern Zarubino port to China. Russia's transport ministry announced the plan recently, and is seeking cooperation with the Chinese side.