Putin arrives in Harbin for 2nd day of China visit

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived late Thursday in the northeastern city of Harbin as part of the last day of a two-day visit to China.

Video by the Kremlin showed Putin’s arrival by plane, where he was greeted by officials.

Putin will take part in the opening ceremony of the 8th Russian-Chinese Expo and the 4th Russian-Chinese Forum on Interregional Cooperation, according to a statement.

“Vladimir Putin will also meet with students and teachers of the Harbin Institute of Technology,” it added.

The Harbin Institute of Technology is one of the Chinese institutions targeted by the US with sanctions.

Earlier Thursday, Putin arrived in Beijing at the invitation of his counterpart, Xi Jinping.

The visit is Putin’s first since beginning his fifth term as president following elections in March. He last visited China in October to attend the 3rd Belt and Road Forum.