President Hu Jintao told visiting Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev on Thursday that China will spare no efforts to minimize water-borne pollution damage to Russia from the toxic spill in the Songhua River.

"We will take all necessary and effective measures and do our utmost to minimize the pollution and reduce the damage to the Russian side," Hu said, adding that China is also ready to improve communication and consultation with Russia, provide assistance and enhance cooperation.

Hu said that China will deal with the issue seriously with an attitude of "being highly responsible to the two countries and the two peoples."

"I believe relevant problems will be properly solved with our joint efforts and close cooperation," he said.

The contamination of the northeastern Songhua River was caused by an explosion at a petrochemical plant in Jilin in November.

Medvedev told Hu the river pollution was a common challenge to both countries and that they should improve cooperation to overcome difficulties and conquer the disaster.

Before meeting with Hu, Medvedev, also president of the organizing committee of the Russia Year in China, held talks with State Councilors Tang Jiaxuan and Chen Zhili, agreeing to hold large-scale cultural activities within the coming two years.

(Xinhua News Agency December 9, 2005)