Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met in Beijing Tuesday with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, who is on his first official visit to China since taking office in May 2008.

Wen hosted a welcome ceremony for Putin at the Great Hall of the People before a close-door meeting and full-range talks.

They are expected to be present at an agreement signing ceremony and a press conference after the talks.

In the evening, they are scheduled to address a celebration gathering to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

(Xinhua News Agency October 13, 2009)