Chinese vice president arrives in Russia to start four European nation tour

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia, March 20 (Xinhua) -- At the invitation of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping arrived here Saturday for a five-day official visit to Russia.

In a written statement upon his arrival, Xi said that China and Russia are friendly neighbors and close strategic partners of coordination, adding that the Chinese government and the Communist Party of China highly value the growth of China-Russia ties.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (L) arrives at the airport in  Vladivostok, Russia, March 20, 2010. At the invitation of Russian Prime  Minister Vladimir Putin, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping arrived here  Saturday for a five-day official visit to Russia. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

Xi said he believes his visit will "cement the mutual political trust, deepen cooperation with mutual benefit, strengthen cooperation between political parties of both countries, and advance the all-round and rapid growth of the strategic partnership of coordination of the two countries."

Russia is the first leg of Xi's four-nation Europe tour, which will also take him to Belarus, Finland and Sweden.

During his stay in Russia, Xi, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, will meet Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, and Putin, who is also chairman of the ruling United Russia party, and State Duma Chairman Boris Gryzlov.

They will exchange views on bilateral relations and other regional and international issues of common concern.

Xi is also expected to attend the opening ceremony of the Year of the Chinese Language in Russia as well as the opening of the second round of strategic dialogue between Chinese and Russian ruling parties.