Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov said in Moscow Thursday that the rapidly developing bilateral relations between Russia and China bring great benefit to the people of both countries. 

The rapid economic growth in Russia and China promoted the cooperation and complementarity between the two countries, Fradkov said when meeting with Li Guixian, who is here to attend a session of the Sino-Russian Committee on Friendship, Peace and Development.

Fradkov said both Russia and China should seize the opportunity to push forward the mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields.

He also said that the Sino-Russian committee should play a greater role in deepening mutual understanding between the Russian and Chinese people as well as boosting bilateral economic cooperation.

Li, who is the co-chairman of the Sino-Russian committee and also the vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said the Sino-Russian strategic partnership has maintained strong momentum in recent years.

He said strengthening bilateral strategic cooperation and seeking common development and prosperity are in the fundamental interests of both countries and are beneficial to peace and development in the world. 

The Sino-Russian committee was established in 1997 under the proposal of the two countries' heads of state with a view to deepening understanding and friendship and promoting the good neighborly cooperation between China and Russia. 

(Xinhua News Agency May 27, 2005)