Russia, China seal trade ties with $3.5b in deals

China and Russia on Tuesday cemented their burgeoning trade relationship with billions of dollars in new deals as Prime Minister Vladimir Putin met his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao.
Putin, who arrived late Monday, was also due to meet President Hu Jintao as the two countries seek closer ties, and attend a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, a regional security grouping, during his visit.
It is the Russian leader's first trip to China since he took over as prime minister last year, although he visited four times previously as president.
Wen greeted Putin at the Great Hall of the People on Tiananmen Square in a formal welcome ceremony before the closed-doors talks, Chinese state media said.
The leaders will sign several agreements, officials said, including one committing each country to notifying the other of the launch of ballistic missiles from its territory.