Visiting Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo said in Moscow
Wednesday during talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin that
China expects the Russian leader's visit in October, which would
bring new momentum to the development of bilateral ties.
Putin's visit to China will be of great significance to the
bilateral relationship, said Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee
of the Chinese National People's Congress.
Great changes have taken place in Russia in the economic and social
fields, Wu said, expressing his belief that more achievements would
be made under the leadership of Putin who was reelected to a second
four-year term in March.
Wu, who is on an official good-will visit to Russia, said that
China highly values Putin's contribution to the development of
Sino-Russian relationship in his first term.
The visiting Chinese legislator noted that China and Russia have
consistently supported each other on issues of state sovereignty
and territorial integrity as well as some other vital issues. The
two countries have also witnessed the expansion of bilateral
cooperation in the economic, trade and cultural fields.
The new Chinese central leadership attaches great importance to
bilateral ties and will make efforts in furthering the Sino-Russian
strategic partnership and push the comprehensive cooperation to a
new level, Wu added.
Wu also praised the cooperation between the Chinese National
People's Congress and the two houses of Russian parliament in
recent years, adding that their frequent meetings have contributed
to a better mutual understanding and trust.
Putin expressed his warm welcome to the visit of Chinese top
legislator and the expectation to meet with his Chinese counterpart
Hu Jintao this year.
The Russian president stressed the importance of enhancing
cooperation with China, saying that the two neighbors have
maintained high-level cooperation in political and economic affairs
and in the world arena.
He noted that the active communication between the legislatures
of both sides plays a key role in promoting bilateral ties,
including the regional cooperation.
Putin and Wu agreed that it is important for Russia and China to
maintain close consultation and cooperation on vital international
and regional issues.
Exchanging views on the current international situation, the two
leaders insisted on the widely recognized principles of the
international law and proposed a central role for the United
Nations in dealing with complicated world affairs.
Both sides reaffirmed their willingness to reinforce cooperation
within the framework of international organizations and the
Shanghai Cooperation Organization in order to safeguard world and
regional peace and stability.
(Xinhua News Agency May 27, 2004)
