By Bernama,
Moscow : Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Thursday is departing for China on a working visit and as a guest of honour at the opening ceremony of the XXIX Summer Olympic Games, Russian news agency, Itar-Tass, reported.
“The prime minister will factually head the numerous team of the fans of Russian sportsmen at the Olympics,” a Russian government source told Itar-Tass.
According to him, “The trip of Vladimir Putin to the Beijing Olympics had been long planned when we was the head of the Russian state.”
The source said this “working visit of the prime minister is of special significance in light of the forthcoming Olympics in Sochi and preparations for them.”
He said: “As is known, Vladimir Putin is personally controlling the progress of the preparatory work for the Sochi Olympics and the interrelation of his visit to Beijing with this event is obvious.”
The source said that working schedule of Putin’s visit to the Chinese capital “is very tight and busy.”
During two days – August 8-9, the Russian government head plans a number of bilateral meetings, including “informal talks with the Chinese authorities.”
Besides, Vladimir Putin intends the next day after the opening of the Olympics – on August 9 – to personally visit the Russian sportsmen’s accommodation place at the Olympic village.
According to the government source, “Putin intends to meet our Olympic team to encourage them during the first hours of the Games and to wish them success.”
The government official said that about 85 heads of state, some 10 prime ministers and 10 monarchs will arrive in Beijing to attend the Olympic Games opening ceremony.
In particular, the source noted all leaders of the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), except the Ukrainian and Moldovan presidents, will come to Beijing.
United States President George W. Bush and French President Nicolas Sarkozy have expressed the desire to attend the Olympic opening ceremony.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Prime Minister of New Zealand Helen Clark have refused to participate in the opening ceremony.
This is largely caused by the politicians’ disagreement with the actions of the Chinese authorities towards Tibet.
The Beijing Olympics will start at the main stadium of the Chinese capital – Bird’s Nest at 08:08 p.m., local time.
About 160 spectators are expected to come to the stadium to see the breathtaking Olympics opening show.