Putin to visit China, take part in SCO summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin will pay a state visit to China on June 5-6, the Kremlin press service reported on Tuesday.

In his upcoming foreign tour, Putin will pay an official visit to Uzbekistan on June 4, before he goes to China, according to the press service.

During his stay in Beijing, Putin will take part in a Heads of State Council meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on June 6-7.

Also on June 7, Putin will pay an official visit to Kazakhstan, the Kremlin said.

Founded in Shanghai in 2001, SCO comprises six member countries - China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

During a meeting of SCO foreign ministers in Beijing this month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he was to "pave the way" for Putin's visit, and that all preparation work was "well underway."