Putin's visit to strengthen bilateral ties

BEIJING - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will pay an official visit to China this week to further consolidate bilateral ties, his first trip abroad since he announced his planned return to the presidency.

Accompanied by a 160-member delegation including top business leaders, Putin will attend the 16th regular meeting of the two countries' premiers at the invitation of Premier Wen Jiabao.

Putin is scheduled to arrive in the Chinese capital on Tuesday. He and Wen are likely to talk with reporters after meeting and officiating at the signing of bilateral agreements.