Putin arrives in Beijing for one-day visit

Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Beijing for a one-day visit, during which he is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and attend the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games.

Report informs, citing Interfax, that the Kremlin said the talks between the Russian and Chinese presidents would be full-scale, despite the restrictions imposed by China due to the coronavirus pandemic. In this regard, Putin is accompanied in Beijing by a small delegation, which, as presidential aide Yuri Ushakov noted, would be twice as large in normal times.

A joint statement by the heads of state will be adopted, and about 15 intergovernmental and corporate documents will be signed following the results of the Russian-Chinese summit.

Also, due to coronavirus restrictions, Putin does not plan to meet in Beijing with the leaders of other states and international organizations who will arrive for the opening of the Olympics, although some of them have expressed such a desire. In particular, UN Secretary-General António Guterres spoke about plans to talk to the Russian head of state.