Annan's visit comes on the heels of a similar trip to Moscow, where he was able to secure Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's full backing for his plan that would see the UN supervise a stop to the bloody fighting in Syria.

Russia and China have faced heavy international criticism for twice vetoing UN Security Council resolutions against the Syrian regime.

The plan Annan has presented to Russia and is scheduled to discuss with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao involves a ceasefire initiated first by the Syrian government, a daily two-hour pause in fighting to allow humanitarian aid to be administered, and political talks led by Syrians.

The UN estimates more than 8,000 people have died in Syria since the conflict began last year.

mz/ng (DPA, AP)