Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday embarked on a four-day state visit to China, described by the Kremlin as “unprecedented,” running from August 31 to September 3. The trip will see him participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin before heading to Beijing for extensive bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

According to the Kremlin, the SCO summit will bring together more than 20 leaders from member states, partners, and observers, alongside heads of 10 international organizations. Putin is also scheduled to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Iranian President Mohammad Pezeshkian, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and several other leaders.

On September 2, Putin will hold in-depth discussions with Xi in Beijing on bilateral cooperation and regional and global issues, accompanied by official delegations from both sides. He will also attend a trilateral meeting with the presidents of China and Mongolia, as well as talks with leaders from Pakistan, Serbia, and Uzbekistan.

The visit will conclude on September 3 with Putin attending commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, where he will serve as guest of honor. He is also expected to meet with the presidents of Congo and Vietnam.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed that the trip will culminate in the signing of around 20 bilateral agreements, underscoring the depth of the strategic partnership between Moscow and Beijing.