BEIJING, May 15 (Xinhua) -- At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin will pay a state visit to China from May 16 to 17.
Putin was born in Leningrad (today's St. Petersburg) on Oct. 7, 1952. In 1975, he graduated with a degree in law from Leningrad State University. He later earned a Ph.D. degree in economics.
After graduation, Putin was commissioned to work in the Soviet Union's State Security Committee. From 1985 to 1990, he worked in East Germany.
In 1990, Putin returned to the Soviet Union and worked as an assistant responsible for international affairs to the rector of Leningrad State University. His next position was an advisor to the chairman of the Leningrad City Council.
Starting in June 1991, Putin began working as chairman of the Committee for International Relations at St. Petersburg City Hall, and from 1994, concurrently held the position of first deputy chairman of the St. Petersburg city government.
In August 1996, he was appointed deputy chief of Russia's Presidential Administrative Directorate (Property Management Directorate).
In March 1997, he became deputy chief of staff of the Presidential Executive Office and chief of the Main Control Directorate.
In May 1998, he was made first deputy chief of staff of the Presidential Executive Office.
In March 1999, Putin was appointed secretary of the State Security Council. In August 1999, he was appointed prime minister. Upon then Russian President Boris Yeltsin's resignation on Dec. 31, 1999, Putin became acting president of Russia.
Putin won the presidential election on March 26, 2000, and served as Russian president for two terms to 2008.
From 2008 to 2012, Putin served as prime minister of Russia.
From 2012 to 2024, Putin served as president of Russia for two terms.
In March 2024, Putin was re-elected as the president of Russia. On May 7, he was sworn in as Russian president for a six-year term.
Putin has visited China or attended international events in China 22 times. ■