Gas deals expected during Putin's China visit

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin are expected to reach agreements on natural gas during Putin's visit, a senior Chinese diplomat said on Thursday.

At the invitation of Xi, Putin will pay a state visit to China and attend a summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) from May 20 to 21 in Shanghai.

Vice Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping said at a press briefing that the two leaders will exchange views on cooperation, coordination in international affairs and major issues of common concern.

The gaps in natural gas between the two sides are mainly on price, Cheng said, adding that the companies involved are in negotiations in Moscow.

It will be Putin's first China tour since Xi took office and the second meeting between the two presidents this year.

During their meeting in Sochi, Xi and Putin reached important agreements on gas, and the vast majority of the text of contracts was agreed.

The two sides will show willingness to firmly support each other to adhere to their own development path compliance with national conditions as well as strengthen strategic coordination on major international affairs, said Cheng.