An undated photo shows the performance of Shaolin kungfu.

Chinanews, Beijing, April 27 - China and Russia have signed a letter of intent on the building of a Shaolin kungfu center in Russia, which will be the first of its kind in Russia, and also the biggest overseas kungfu center when completed.The kungfu center will be built in the Republic of Kalmykija, and the president of Kalmykija promises that the land for the kungfu center will be offered free of charge.Kungfu is very popular in Russia nowadays, and many young people there have already joined various martial arts clubs. Putin, the Russian president, also contributed to the popularity of kungfu.President Putin himself is a big kungfu fan. During his last visit to China in March 2006, he went to the kungfu holy place: the Shaolin Temple in Henan Province. Many young Russians have taken to Shaolin kungfu under his influence.Shi Xiao Guang, the young monk who once sat on Putin's shoulders in a kungfu demonstration, has become a famous pop idol in Russia. Last March, when he went to Russia to attend the opening ceremony of the Year of China, Shi was warmly welcomed by many Russian citizens, as well as the president himself.