Chinese Prime Minister Due In Russia

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao

Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao visits Russia today as he seeks to finalize a pricing agreement for gas supplies to China and expand trade cooperation.

Analysts says Wen's visit underscores the increasingly close relationship between two of the world's biggest emerging economies.

Wen will also go to Tajikistan for a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization -- a Central Asian regional group comprising Russia, China, and four ex-Soviet Central Asian states.

compiled from agency reports