Russian President Vladimir Putin will make a state visit to China on May 16-17 at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to the Kremlin's press service.
"At the invitation of President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China, President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation will make a state visit to China from May 16-17, 2024, marking his first overseas trip after assuming office," the statement read.
The visit will cover two cities: Beijing and Harbin. "The Russian head of state will also visit Harbin, the administrative center of Heilongjiang province, where he will participate in the opening ceremonies of the eighth Russia-China EXPO and the fourth Russia-China Forum on Interregional Cooperation. He will also meet with students and faculty at Harbin Polytechnic University," the statement added.
Celebrating 75 Years of Diplomatic Relations
Putin and Xi Jinping will celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and China. "Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping will participate in a gala evening marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the opening of the Years of Culture of Russia and China," informed the Kremlin.
According to the Russian leader's press service, the two heads of state will "thoroughly discuss the entire range of comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction issues." Additionally, Putin and Xi Jinping will "identify key areas for further development of practical Russia-China cooperation" and exchange views on the most pressing international issues.
As noted in the Kremlin's announcement, "the talks are expected to conclude with the signing of a Joint Statement by the heads of state and several bilateral documents."
Meeting with the Premier of the State Council
During Putin's visit to China, he will also meet with the Premier of the State Council.
"The program of the President of the Russian Federation's visit includes a meeting with Premier of the State Council of China Li Qiang, during which issues of bilateral cooperation in trade, economic, and humanitarian spheres are expected to be discussed," the Kremlin said.
This visit to China will be Putin's first international trip following his re-election as President of Russia. As previously stated by presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, it will be a "reciprocal step to the first official visit of President Xi Jinping, which took place last year after the corresponding elections." According to diplomatic protocol, a state visit is the highest-ranking form of international visit. Moscow and Beijing are bound by ties of comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction, with Putin and Xi Jinping maintaining not only regular working contacts but also personal friendly relations. Even during the pandemic, they continued communication via video link, and the Russian president attended the opening of the Winter Olympics in Beijing in February 2022.
All of this plays a significant role in the development of bilateral cooperation. Notably, from March 20-22, 2023, just ten days after his re-election for a new five-year term, President Xi visited Russia on an official visit. President Putin, in turn, was the main guest at the "Belt and Road" forum held in Beijing in October 2023.
First Visits After Previous Inaugurations
In 2018, Putin's first overseas visit after his inauguration was to Austria in June. In 2012, after his inauguration, his first visit was to Belarus.
At the beginning of Putin's second presidential term in 2004, his first overseas trip was to Ukraine, specifically to Ukrainian Crimea at that time, where a summit of the countries participating in the Agreement on the Formation of a Single Economic Space (Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Ukraine) was held.
Following his first inauguration in May 2000, Putin visited Uzbekistan. His very first international trip as head of state, even before his inauguration, as acting president, was to Belarus in April 2000.
For Dmitry Medvedev, his first visit after taking office as President of Russia in May 2008 was to Kazakhstan.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS