Deals with Russia to total $4.3b

China and Russia are expected to sign a series of agreements and contracts worth more than US$4.3 billion during Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to Russia this month. From March 26 to 28, President  Hu and his Russian counterpart Vladmir Putin will sign a series of cooperation agreements and discuss plans for the two countries to hold talks at the China national exhibition, state media reported. Details of the deals were sparse, but will include an agreement on the transport of crude oil, memorandums on scientific and technical cooperation and lending accords between China's development bank and Russian banks. Hu and Putin will attend the opening ceremony of the Year of China in Russia and that of the China national exhibition.