Putin to visit China in mid-October

China's Foreign Ministry says Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will visit Beijing in mid-October for talks on joint projects and cooperation in international affairs, according to AP. Putin's Oct. 11-12 visit follows his weekend announcement that he plans to swap jobs next year with President Dmitry Medvedev, returning him to the top position he held for eight years. Putin made improving relations with China a major theme of his first period as president, although ties have stumbled in recent years over declining Chinese imports of Russian military hardware and weak Russian exports of gas and oil to fuel China's booming demand. While they have at times united to oppose U.S. dominance of global affairs, closer cooperation is hampered by mutual suspicions.