Putin told Hu he believed that the Russian-Chinese relationship has reached a high level, according to a press release from the Chinese delegation.

Agreeing with Putin, Hu noted that the political mutual trust between China and Russia is deepening, economic and trade cooperation has been developing quickly and strategic partnership has also improved.

During his meeting with Putin, Hu spoke highly of Putin's job, noting that Russia's political situation has become stable soon after Putin was elected president last year, the country's economy is recovering and Moscow is playing an increasingly-bigger role on international stage.

He expressed his belief that Russia will be more prosperous and more powerful under the leadership of Putin and with the efforts of the Russian people.

Referring to the Chinese-Russian Good Neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed by Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Putin in July, Hu said the treaty has mapped out a long-term strategic plan for the Chinese-Russian relationship in the 21st century and enjoys full support from both countries.

The treaty, which was ratified by the National People's Congress of China on Saturday, will push Sino-Russian relations forward and will help strengthen the friendship between the two peoples, Hu added.

China is willing to implement the treaty together with Russia to push the Sino-Russian relationship to a new level, he said.

Praising China's ratification of the treaty, Putin said that this treaty has set the direction for the development of future Russian-Chinese relations, adding he believed that the Russian parliament will also ratify the treaty soon.

Expressing his satisfaction about all the aspects of the current Russian-Chinese ties, Putin said there is still a great potential for more cooperation in economy and trade, energy resources and science and technology.

The Russian president stressed that his country is willing to work together with China to make the cooperation more successful so that the peoples in both countries will benefit from it.

Hu Jintao arrived in Moscow earlier on Saturday on a two-day working visit to Russia, the first leg of his five-nation tour. He will also visit Britain, France, Spain and Germany.

(Xinhua News Agency October 28, 2001)