Premier Wen Jiabao said on Tuesday that China-Russia cooperation was constantly deepening.

 

"China-Russia ties have developed at a sound momentum and cooperation has constantly deepened," Wen told the visiting Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev.

 

As neighbors and important international players, China and Russia should view their relations from a long-term and global perspective.

 

Wen said activities to celebrate the Year of Russia in China were progressing smoothly and would greatly promote exchanges and cooperation in politics, legislatures, economy, science, technology and among people.

 

"Hopefully the Year of China in Russia next year will also exert a positive impact on bilateral ties," Wen said.

 

Medvedev said mutual trust and cooperation have reached "unprecedented heights."

 

The Year of Russia in China had been successful, said Medvedev, who also chaired the Russian side of the organizing committee for the Year of Russia and the Year of China.

 

"Russia will do its utmost to ensure the Year of China in Russia a success."

 

Vice Premier Wu Yi also met with Medvedev and said China is willing to continue close cooperation with Russia and carry out the activities of the on-going Year of Russia, so as to make it a complete success.

 

The Year of Russia, which is being held in China, have staged more than 130 activities.

 

"These activities, which promoted the mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples and pushed forward bilateral concrete cooperation in various fields, have played an important role in promoting bilateral relations," Wu said.

 

Wu said China will continue to work with Russia to complete the remaining activities, including a round table meeting of members of the two country's parliaments, the closing ceremony and the China-Russia investment promotion week.

 

Medvedev said the Year of Russia activities have encouraged bilateral exchanges and cooperation in such fields as culture and education, as well as active communications between localities and people of the two countries and create good conditions for the development of the China-Russia relations

 

"The Year of Russia has achieved our goal and the Russian side is very satisfied", he said. He also appreciated for China's great support to this activity, vowing to make joint efforts with the Chinese side to complete the remaining activities.

 

The two sides also exchanged views on the preparation for the Year of China to be held in Russia in next year, pledging to strengthen bilateral cooperation and coordination to make the activity a success and inject new energy into the development of China-Russia strategic partnership of cooperation.

 

As for the water pollution case of Mangniu River, a Songhua River tributary, in northeast China's Jilin Province, Wu briefed the guest on the latest situation.

 

Illegal discharge of chemicals into the river by Changbaishan Jingxi Chemical Co., Ltd at midnight on August 20 caused the water pollution.

 

She said the Chinese government attaches high importance to the case and relevant departments are taking measures to handle it. According to the latest inspection, the Songhua River, which flows through the two countries, is not polluted.

 

China understands Russia's concern, and will as always inform the Russia of the latest situation in a cooperative, open and responsible manner, Wu said, adding China will continue to take measures to clean up the pollution.

 

Medvedev expressed appreciation of the Chinese government for informing the Russian side and taking effective measures to control the pollution. He said the Russian side is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with the Chinese side in this regard.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 30, 2006)