MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin told visiting Chinese Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli on Thursday that he will gladly attend the Belt and Road Forum for international cooperation in Beijing on May 14 and 15.

China put forward the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013, with the aim of building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient Silk Road land and maritime trade routes.

China views Russia as an important partner among Belt and Road countries, Zhang told Putin, adding that the Chinese government will make good preparations for Putin's attendance.