Bush and Putin Arrive in Shanghai

Putin Arrives in Shanghai

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US President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Shanghai Thursday to attend this weekend's APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.

Also arriving at this East China commercial hub Thursday for the occasion were Singapore's Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, President of the Republic of Korea Kim Dae-jung and New Zealand's Prime Minister Helen Clark.

This is Bush's first visit to China since he entered office. He and his Chinese counterpart Jiang Zemin are expected to hold their first face-to-face meeting Friday.

Chinese Foreign Ministry sources said that the two presidents will exchange views on bilateral relations and issues of common concern.


Bush Arrives in Shanghai

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Jiang is also scheduled to hold talks with leaders from other economies on the sidelines of the APEC leaders' gathering, including Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

Leaders from 13 APEC member economies are scheduled to arrive in Shanghai Friday.

Participants in this weekend's leaders' meeting will discuss economic issues as well as anti-terrorism in the wake of the terrorist attacks on the United States last month, according to organizers of this year's APEC meetings.



Source: China Daily