China, Russia carry a world of hopes

Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to visit China on Saturday to hold in-depth talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on bilateral ties. This will be his fourth visit to China since retaking office as president in 2012.

The two leaders will also discuss priority cooperation areas in the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership. Like their previous meetings, they are also expected to issue a number of key political documents and witness the signing of a series of agreements on cooperation between the two countries' departments and enterprises.

Cooperation in transportation and energy industries are likely to top their agenda, as Beijing is pressing ahead with the Belt and Road Initiative, aimed primarily at improving connectivity in Eurasia, and Moscow, a traditional oil exporter, needs some help to counter the declining oil prices over the past two years.