Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit China on Saturday, and one of the highlights expected during the trip will be a of a multibillion-dollar high-speed railway agreement by the two nations, China's foreign ministry announced on Monday.

China's foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said the two countries are expected to extend military cooperation during Putin's state visit and enhance diplomatic and military ties.

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Although details of the visit have yet to be announced, political observers said it will most likely result in the signing of more than 30 trade agreements by Beijing and Moscow.

400 billion ruble

Lu said Beijing earlier pledged 400 billion ruble (roughly US$6.2 billion) in loans to Moscow to build a high-speed railway that will connect the Russian cities of Moscow and Kazan.

China's state banks recently approved a loan of more than 79 billion yuan (US$12 billion) for Russia to develop a liquefied gas plant in the Arctic, after ironing out the kinks in the agreement that caused more than a year of delays.

Lu said that if the gas plant deal would push through, China would be the biggest importer of Russian gas.

Western sanctions

Despite some minor hitches, president Xi and Putin are expected to sign the railway deal as well as agree on the release of the first tranche of the loan for the gas plant during Putin's visit, said Alexander Gabuev, the Russian chair in the Asia-Pacific Programme.

"China is a large market for commodities and a source for capital, technology, and infrastructure," he said. "Russia has an abundance of mineral resources, which requires capital, technology, and infrastructure. That's a natural match." 

Putin's visit comes at a time when Russia is reeling from Western sanctions, as it seeks to further enhance ties with China to combat the harsh economic effects experienced by Moscow.

China, for its part, is seeking military support from Russia to counter the US presence in the Asia-Pacific region, including in the disputed South China Sea and the East China Sea.  

TagsRussia, multibillion dollar high-speed railway, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Western sanctions, President Xi Jinping, china