Russian President Dmitry Medvedev praised Sino-Russian friendship on Sunday at the start of his three-day visit to China, which is expected to focus on bilateral trade and investment.
Mr. Medvedev arrived in northeast China's port city of Dalian, where he laid flowers at the monument commemorating the Soviet soldiers killed while defending the city against Japanese forces during World War II. He also met with about 20 Russian and Chinese war veterans.
The Russian leader will meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao and other top Chinese officials Monday in Beijing. The two presidents will attend a ceremony marking the opening of the Chinese section of the first oil pipeline between the two countries. They will also oversee the signing of agreements on energy cooperation, bilateral trade and investment.
During the trip, President Medvedev's second to China since taking office in 2008, he will also visit Shangahi, where he will meet Tuesday with Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping and attend events marking Russia Day at the ongoing World Expo.
The Chinese section of the Russian East Siberia-Pacific oil pipeline connects the southeastern Russian town of Skovorodino with the city of Daqing in China's northeastern Heilongjiang province. The pipeline is set to open later this year.
China has become the world's largest energy consumer, overtaking the United States, and Russia is one of the world's largest energy producers.
Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.