However, the key assignment of Jiaxuan's trip to Russia was the preparation of the upcoming July visit to Moscow by Chinese leader Jiang Zemin. According to Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov who met with Jiaxuan Saturday morning, Russia and China will post a record number of top level talks in 2001.
China is the world's foremost purchaser of Russian weapons and military equipment.
Around one million ethnic Chinese are believed to be living in Russia. Jiaxuan passed along to Putin best wishes and greetings from President Zemin, who will meet with the Russian leader at least three times this year. In Shanghai, the member states of the alliance will sign a joint protocol pledging to fight terrorism, extremism and separatism in the turbulent Central Asian region. Finally, Putin and Zemin will attend the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in October. The partnership between the two countries could be strengthened further as both Moscow and Beijing oppose Washington's global dominance.