MOSCOW. April 13 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with Chinese First Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli that he would visit Beijing to attend the One Belt, One Road forum.
"I plan to participate in the One Belt, One Road international forum at the invitation of the president of the People's Republic of China, and in that context I plan to pay a working visit to Beijing," Putin said.
Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov had said earlier that Putin was expected on May 14-15, 2017 to visit Beijing, which would host a Silk Road international forum.
"I will accompany our president. We will have something to report on the progress of investment projects in the presence of the leaders," Shuvalov said.
Putin also asked Zhang to convey his best regards to Chinese President Xi Jinping and said that Moscow and Beijing had friendly relations, at the core of which lies not only the level of interstate relations but also the countries' joint projects.
The implementation of joint business projects is aided by the Chinese president's positive attitude, Putin said, describing his relations with Xi as good and friendly. Zhang, for his part, reminded Putin of the present with the Power of Siberia project symbol that the Russian leader had given him in Irkutsk.
"I have been safekeeping it dearly," Zhang said.
The Chinese first vice premier also said that the Chinese president was sending his best regards to Putin. Zhang said he would personally convey Putin's best wishes sent to Xi. The Russian president is a great friend of China, he said.
Putin and Xi have held 20 one-on-one meetings.
"And such deep personal friendship, agreements and decisions of the two leaders serve as a strategic guideline for the development of Russian-Chinese relations," he said.
Zhang once again conveyed China's condolences on the deadly April 3 explosion in St. Petersburg's metro system and condemned this attack.
"China will work together with Russia and other members of the international community to further fight against international terrorism for the sake of maintaining peace and stability all over the world," he said.