Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Moscow Sunday for celebrations marking Russia's victory in World War II.

During his stay in Moscow, the Chinese president will join more than 50 other state leaders for the May 9 celebration marking the 60th anniversary of the victory of Russia's Great Patriotic War.

On the sidelines of the celebrations, Hu will meet with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to discuss ways to further promote bilateral ties as well as major international and regional issues of common concern.

The Chinese president will also meet other heads of state and government attending the celebrations.

The Chinese president's Russia tour is aimed at promoting the Sino-Russian strategic cooperation partnership, enhancing political mutual trust and highlighting China's independent foreign policy of peace and its determination to seek a peaceful development.

The Chinese president will also meet Russian veterans, who have helped China in fighting against Japanese invaders in World War II, or their representatives.

The Soviet Union fought 80 percent of the German Fascist forces in the main anti-fascist war theater in Europe, which cost the Soviet Union 27 million lives and immeasurable national wealth. Seldom has any other country or people in history made a sacrifice so great to win a war of national defense.

Trip to fortify partnership

President Hu is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. The leaders will together attend the ceremony to mark the victory over the war against German fascism.

"The two leaders will exchange views on bilateral ties as well as international and regional issues of common concern," said Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Li Hui.

Xu Tao, an expert with the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, said energy resources will top the agenda.

Xu said: "In my personal view, they will talk on some specific issues, such as energy co-operation between the two countries."

"Hu is expected to push for an oil pipeline project, which is currently under discussion. Cultural and social issues will also be discussed," he added.

"Relations between China and Russia are very solid and the 60th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany has given the two leaders an additional chance to meet each other," said Xu.

"The Russian Government thinks highly of President Hu's decision to attend the celebrations," said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alekseyev in a recent interview with Xinhua in Moscow.

"The peoples of Russia and China contributed considerably to defeating Nazism and militarism," Alekseyev said.

During his visit, Hu will also meet some Russian veterans who helped China fight Japanese invaders during World War II.

Last week in Beijing, Russian Ambassador to China Igor Rogachev gave medals to 27 Chinese who fought with the former Soviet Union army.

Xu said: "Celebrating the victory is significant because it reminds people to make joint efforts to safeguard peace and prevent a repeat of such tragedies."