Beijing, 16 May 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in China for a two-day state visit, Chinese and Russian state media reported on Thursday.

Putin and his delegation arrived in Beijing early on Thursday, where a meeting with state and party leader Xi Jinping was on the programme.

Putin also wants to travel to the northern Chinese industrial city of Harbin and visit a Russian-Chinese trade fair there.

It is Putin's first trip abroad since the start of his fifth term in office just over a week ago. While in China he expects to conclude several co-operation agreements.

The choice of Beijing as the first destination is also symbolic, as Russia was the first country Xi visited after taking office for a third term. The two nuclear powers have close economic ties.

Russia is affected by far-reaching sanctions imposed by the West as a result of its war against Ukraine and needs China as a trading partner.

Germany, the US and other supporters of Ukraine accuse China of not exerting enough pressure on Russia and even indirectly supporting Moscow's invasion of its neighbour.

Photo: EPA