MOSCOW, March 22 (UPI) -- Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin and Chinese counterpart Wang Yang signed nine economic agreements in Moscow Friday, officials said.
The agreements include cooperation on banking and energy, RIA Novosti reported.
Russia and China will launch joint heavy drilling rigs in a deal between two corporations, the report said.
On another issue, the agriculture ministries of the two countries will work together in the breeding of rabbits, with Russian and Chinese companies signing a cooperation agreement, RIA Novosti said.
The deals were signed as new Chinese President Xi Jinping made his way to Russia for a three-day visit, the BBC said. He arrived Friday.
XI said he viewed Russia as a strategic partner.
"China-Russia relations have entered a new phase in which the two countries provide major development opportunities to each other," he said.
Xi will also visit Tanzania, South Africa and the Republic of Congo on his tour, which continues until March 30, the BBC said.
