ST. PETERSBURG, Russia, Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao arrived in St. Petersburg, Russia, Monday, to begin an official state visit, officials said.
"Wen Jiabao's talks with the Russian leaders will focus on issues of trade and economic relations, on cooperation in the energy sector and in the areas of finance, agriculture, and regional cooperation," said Gheng Guoping, China's assistant foreign minister, in a report from Tass.
"The sides will outline top-priority areas of cooperation at a new stage, and will consider new approaches to the practical cooperation between the two states."
Xinhua, the Chinese news agency, said Wen arrived in St. Petersburg in the evening.
After concluding his state visit to Russia, the prime minister will travel to Tajikistan to attend a meeting Thursday of the Council of Heads of Government from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member countries, theTass report said.
"Being big neighboring countries, and important strategic partners, China and Russia are also countries with emerging markets," Gheng said. "Maintaining friendly relations, developing mutually beneficial cooperation, strengthening long-term and sustainable strategic partnership is in the interests of the two nations."
