Russia-China regional cooperation will bring substantive benefits to both countries, Russian President said Friday in Xi'an.

Visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin made the remarks while meeting with leaders of five northwest China provinces and autonomous regions.

Shaanxi, along with other 11 provinces, autonomous regions and municipality in west China, are main parts of China's western region development, Putin noted.

Putin said Russian local governments and businesses should take an active part in China's western region development, which will promote the development of Euro-Asia continent in various fields.

Russia enjoys rich experience, advanced technology and quality personnel in oil and mineral exploration and delivery, said Putin, adding Russian machinery and equipment businesses should bid for China's big projects like Qinghai-Tibet Railway, hydropower stations in Sichuan and Yunnan, natural gas projects in western regions etc.

China's western region is a habitat of China's established science and industry bases, making it possible for Russia China to cooperate in high-tech and personnel training, Putin said.

Noting there are some 60 pairs of "sister cities" between Russia and China, Putin appealed for more cities, provinces and regions in the two countries to establish friendly relations, which are taking up a bigger and bigger proportion in bilateral trade and business exchanges.

To make the region-to-region cooperation closer, Putin called for joint efforts from the central and local governments as well as business people in the two countries.

The trilateral and multilateral cooperation serves as an effective way for the regions in Russia and China, Putin said, speaking highly of the mechanism of Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Putin has winded up his China visit by leaving Xi'an on October 16. This is Putin's third visit to China and also his first visit in his second presidential term.

(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2004)