Russian President Vladimir Putin told visiting Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli that he will attend the Belt and Road Forum for international cooperation in Beijing on May 14 and 15. China views Russia as an important partner among Belt and Road countries. Putin hailed the rapid growth of the two-way trade volume since last year and said the bilateral trade structure has improved. Zhang was in Moscow for the fourth meeting of the China-Russia Investment Cooperation Committee and the meeting with the Russian Chair of the China-Russia Energy Cooperation Committee.