Russia's Putin in China

Russian President Vladimir Putin is beginning a three-day visit to China on Tuesday, with energy and foreign policy expected to dominate the agenda. Putin said ahead of the trip that he wanted to further boost booming bilateral trade, which reached $84bn (£55bn) last year. The Russian leader is taking to Beijing six cabinet ministers, the head of gas giant Gazprom and other energy companies. On Wednesday, Putin is scheduled to meet with Vice-Premier Li Keqiang, who is tipped to be the next premier, as well as with Xi Jinping, who is expected to become the country’s next president later this year. Some 17 major business and trade deals between Russia and China are expected to be signed in Beijing. Listen: