President Hu Jintao left Beijing on Monday morning to pay a three-day state visit to Russia at the invitation of his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

During the visit, President Hu will attend the opening ceremony of the "Year of China" in Russia.

The Year of China in Russia is a reciprocal event to the Year of Russia marked in China last year. Both events were agreed upon during President Hu's visit to Russia in July 2005.

The Year of China in Russia will stage some 200 activities to enhance exchanges and understanding between the two countries in various areas.

(Xinhua News Agency March 26, 2007)