MOSCOW, March 26. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to pay a state visit to China in conjunction with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Qingdao, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported on Monday.

The ministry recalled that Chinese president’s special envoy and Foreign Minister Wang Yi would pay a working visit to Russia on March 27-28. "On March 28, he will have talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov," the ministry said. "The talks will focus on the key political event in bilateral relations this year, that is, the Russian president’s state visit to China, which is expected to take place in conjunction with the SCO meeting in Qingdao."

The two top diplomats will also exchange views on the current state and prospects for Russian-Chinese strategic partnership and synchronize the schedule of upcoming bilateral top-level and high-level bilateral contacts. "The two ministers will discuss issues related to bilateral cooperation in international affairs and the most pressing regional issues, including the situation on the Korean Peninsula, the Syrian settlement and the situation in Afghanistan," the Russian Foreign Ministry noted.