Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has arrived in Beijing for a two-day visit expected to focus on energy and trade.
Russian officials have said the two sides plan to sign several agreements worth some $7 billion.
Putin, who is accompanied by a 160-member delegation, is scheduled to meet Chinese premier Wen Jiabao later in the day and President Hu Jintao on October 12.
Plans for a 30-year deal to pump Russian gas to China are expected to top talks between the two sides.
However, no deal is expected to be signed as the two sides have failed so far to agree on a price for the gas.
On the political front, Putin and Chinese leaders are expected to discuss the situation in Syria.
Last week, both China and Russia vetoed a Western-backed UN resolution threatening sanctions against Damascus if it failed to halt its crackdown on protesters.
compiled from agency reports