Beijing (CNN) -- Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing Tuesday, kicking off a two-day visit to China, his first state visit since announcing his intention to contest the Russian presidency next March. Aside from meeting his counterpart Chinese premier Wen Jiabao in the 16th Regular Meeting between the two Prime Ministers, Putin will also meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao and other Chinese leaders. Talks are expected to include negotiations on a natural gas deal worth $1 trillion that has been stalled by disagreements over price. The deal would see Russia supply China with up to 68 billion cubic meters of gas every year.
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Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin arrives in Beijing on two-day visit
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Talks expected to include negotiations on natural gas deal worth $1 trillion
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Experts say economic cooperation will dominate the meeting agenda
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Marks Putin's first state visit since announcing his intention to contest Russian presidency
"The fact that Putin may become next @placeholder president indeed adds some political color to this visit, and its impact on bilateral relation will definitely go beyond the impact of a regular state visit," Zhao said.