Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, June 7th Title: President Putin of the Russian Federation
At the invitation of the Supreme Leader of president, President Vladimir vladimirovich Putin of the Russian Federation will pay a state visit to China from June 8 to 10 and attend the 18th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Putin was born in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) on October 7, 1952. He graduated from the Law Department of Leningrad University in 1975 with an associate doctorate in economics. He worked in the national security agencies of the Soviet Union, including in the GDR from 1985 to 1990.
After returning to China in 1990, Putin successively served as foreign affairs assistant to the president of Leningrad University, adviser to the mayor of St. Petersburg and first deputy mayor. In August 1996, he served as deputy director of the Russian Presidential Affairs Administration, in March 1997, he served as deputy director of the Russian President’s Office and director of the General Inspectorate, in May 1998, he served as the first deputy director of the President’s Office, and in July of the same year, he served as director of the Russian Federal Security Service. In March 1999, he served as the secretary of the Russian Federal Security Council. In August of the same year, he served as the first deputy prime minister, acting prime minister and prime minister of the government, and served as acting president on December 31. He was elected president of Russia in March 2000 and re-elected in March 2004. In May 2008, he became Prime Minister. He was re-elected as president in March 2012, re-elected in March 2018 and sworn in on May 7.
Putin has visited China 18 times or attended international activities in China, including 15 times as president and 3 times as prime minister.