MOSCOW

Russia on Monday announced that President Vladimir Putin will pay a two-day visit to China this Tuesday and Wednesday to take part in the 3rd Belt Road Initiative Forum, and meet with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

“On Oct. 17-18, Vladimir Putin will visit the People's Republic of China to participate in the events of the Third International Forum One Belt, One Road.

“The program of his stay in Beijing includes talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Issues of further development of the Russian-Chinese comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation, as well as topical regional and international issues will be discussed," the Kremlin press service said.

Putin will also hold bilateral meetings with other leaders, attending the event, it added.

The initiative, billed as recreating the ancient Silk Road to boost global trade infrastructure, was put forward by Xi in 2013 to connect China with the markets of Central Asia, Middle East, Europe, and Africa.