MOSCOW - Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Moscow on the afternoon of Oct 12 for an official visit to Russia, with a series of deals ranging from energy to people-to-people exchanges expected to be signed.

Li was greeted with a warm welcome ceremony upon his arrival.

On the occasion, he said the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination between China and Russia has entered a new stage of development.

“With my visit, I am looking forward to further deepening the traditional friendship between China and Russia, and expanding our pragmatic cooperation, so as to achieve greater advancement in the development of bilateral ties,” Li said.

During his visit, Li will attend the 19th China-Russia Prime Ministers’ Regular Meeting with his counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev, and a forum themed on innovation.

Li will also meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as Valentina Matviyenko, chairwoman of the Federation Council or the upper house of parliament, and Sergei Naryshkin, speaker of the State Duma or the lower house of parliament.

The two sides are expected to ink about 50 mutually beneficial agreements and reach new consensus in the areas of energy, high-speed rail and finance.

Analysts believe that Li’s three-day visit, the premier’s first to Russia since he took office in March 2013, will inject new impetus into the two countries’ practical cooperation and their comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination.

Experts say that the diplomatic relations between the two countries, which were established 65 years ago, are at an “all-time high point” with frequent exchanges of high-level visits, surging trade and investment, and an increasing number of large-scale projects.

Before Russia, Li visited Germany, the first leg of his three-nation visit, which will also take him to Italy.

Premier Li Keqiang (L) is welcomed by a Russian senior official upon his arrival at an airport in Moscow, Russia, Oct 12, 2014. [Photo/english.gov.cn]

Premier Li Keqiang (C) is welcomed by Russian senior officials upon his arrival at an airport in Moscow, Russia, Oct 12, 2014.[Photo/english.gov.cn]

Premier Li Keqiang (2nd R) attends a welcome ceremony upon his arrival at an airport in Moscow, Russia, Oct 12, 2014. [Photo/english.gov.cn]

Premier Li Keqiang (3rd R) attends a welcome ceremony upon his arrival at an airport in Moscow, Russia, Oct 12, 2014. [Photo/english.gov.cn]

Premier Li Keqiang (3rd R) attends a welcome ceremony upon his arrival at an airport in Moscow, Russia, Oct 12, 2014. [Photo/english.gov.cn]

Premier Li Keqiang (2nd R) attends a welcome ceremony upon his arrival at an airport in Moscow, Russia, Oct 12, 2014. [Photo/english.gov.cn]

Premier Li Keqiang attends a welcome ceremony upon his arrival at an airport in Moscow, Russia, Oct 12, 2014. [Photo/english.gov.cn]