China and Russia are expected to sign a series of deals in the energy sector, strengthening the countries' economic ties, during President Xi Jinping's visit to Moscowon Friday,

Ahead of Xi's meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, Chinese Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli met with Arkady Dvorkovich, the Russian deputy prime minister, in late April in Beijing to discuss big projects in the oil, gas, coal and power industries.

Zhang, co-chairman of the China-Russia Energy Cooperation Committee, said the two countries should implement a long-term crude oil trade cooperation and a China-Russia eastern natural gas line project.