Putin's China visit watched for strategic signals

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/10/09/uk-russia-china-putin-idUKTRE7980CR20111009

Reuters) - Vladimir Putin visits China on Tuesday in his first foreign trip since revealing plans to reclaim Russia's presidency, addressing a challenging relationship with a giant neighbour whose growth is both an opportunity and a potential threat for Moscow.

For Putin, whose main focus has been domestic in nearly four years as prime minister, the trip sets in motion a return to forefront of Russian foreign policy ahead of a March election in which he is expected to win a six-year term as president.

Beneath talk of strategic relations and shared stances on world affairs, wrangling over a gas pact worth a potential $1 trillion (642 billion pound) points up the tough issues he will confront in dealing with Russia's far more populous, faster growing neighbour.

China, facing its own leadership transition next year, may try to gauge Putin's plans for what could be 12 years at the helm of a country whose natural resources and nuclear arms make it a factor in Beijing's economic and geopolitical strategies.