Russia's Medvedev travels to China for talks

Russia's new president arrived in China on Friday on his first overseas trip since taking office, a further sign of improving ties between the one-time Cold War rivals.

The official Xinhua News Agency said Dmitry Medvedev's two-day visit will include talks with President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao. His arrival in Beijing was to come after a stop in neighboring Kazakhstan on Thursday, where he was seeking to preserve his country's clout in the energy-rich Central Asian region.

China and Russia have built a relationship intended to serve as a counterweight to U.S. dominance, but continued friction remains _ especially over oil and gas _ in Central Asia.

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