At the invitation of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Tajikistan Prime Minister Akil Akilov, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao left Beijing by special plane on November 22 for official visits to Russia and Tajikistan, the 15th Chinese-Russian prime ministers' meeting in Russia and the ninth prime ministers' meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Dushanbe.

Those accompanying the premier are Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Director of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Zhang Ping, Director of the Research Office of the State Council Xie Fuzhan, and Vice Secretary-General of the State Council and Director of the Premier's Office Qiu Xiaoxiong.

Some other senior officials in the premier's entourage, who arrived earlier in Russia, included Vice Premier Wang Qishan, State Councilor Liu Yandong, Minister of Education Yuan Guiren, Minister of Railways Liu Zhijun, Minister of Commerce Chen Deming, head of the State Forestry Administration Jia Zhibang, Vice Chairman of the NDRC and Director of the National Energy Administration Zhang Guobao and Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping.