Chinese FM to visit Moscow next week

MOSCOW - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Russia from April 6-8 to discuss contacts between the two countries' presidents, Russia's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

Wang's visit will include talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on April 7, ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich told a briefing.

"The heads of the Russian and Chinese ministries of foreign affairs will discuss a wide range of topical themes in bilateral ties, with an emphasis on preparation of contacts at the highest level," Lukashevich said.

He said the ministers would also discuss the participation of President Xi Jinping in events in Moscow on May 9 marking the end of World War II in Europe. Moscow expects Xi to come though Beijing has yet to confirm that.

The Kremlin said last month Russia's Vladimir Putin may take part in China's parade on Sept 3 to mark 70 years since the end of World War II.

China and Russia see eye-to-eye on many international policy matters and are seeking to boost their economic and energy cooperation.