Chinese President Hu Jintao met in Sydney Saturday with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, to exchange views on bilateral ties, the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsular and other issues of common concern.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 15th Economic Leaders Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. Both China and Japan are APEC members.

All-round Sino-Japanese ties currently maintain a sound momentum of improvement and development, which are widely welcomed by both peoples and the international community, Hu said.

"Sino-Japanese ties are now at a crucial juncture," Hu said, "we should maintain such a sound trend, and push forward the healthy and steady development of bilateral ties."

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the normalization of Sino-Japanese ties. Over the next few months, the two countries will host various activities of friendly exchange, Hu said, hoping that the two sides will cooperate and support each other to make these activities a success, in order to enhance the mutual understanding and friendship of both peoples.

"We welcome Prime Minister Abe to visit China again this year, and hope both sides will make good preparations to ensure the visit achieve positive results," Hu told Abe.

Abe echoed Hu's remarks on bilateral ties, saying bilateral cooperation has made progress in various areas.

Bilateral exchanges and cooperation in defense matters have made positive progress, which are of great significance, Abe added.

Japan attaches great importance to maintaining high-level contacts with China and is looking forward to conducting more contacts with Chinese leaders this year, Abe said.

Japan is ready to work with China to push forward bilateral ties, Abe added.

Hu, Putin Meet in Sydney

President Hu Jintao also met Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum Saturday.

China and Russia have the necessity to continue to enhance strategic cooperation in Asia-Pacific security and other areas in a joint effort to safeguard regional and world peace and stability, Chinese President Hu Jintao said Saturday.

Situation in the Asia-Pacific region in general remains stable though there are also some unstable and uncertain elements, he said.

He urged the two sides to give full play to the bilateral strategic security consultation mechanism by coordinating stance and deepening cooperation, thus effectively combating new threats and challenges.

Both countries should strengthen communication, push forward the six-party talks and the denuclearization process on the Korean Peninsula, so as to safeguard peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the whole northeastern Asia, he said.

Hu called on Russia to continue to support China's stance on the Taiwan issue and its efforts to curb secessionist forces seeking "Taiwan independence."

During the meeting, Hu spoke highly of the development of the China-Russia strategic partnership and the important contribution made by Russian President Putin and the Russian government to all-round cooperation between the two countries.

China will implement consensus reached by both sides, he said.

China will firmly promote political mutual trust, deepen concrete cooperation, and enhance strategic coordination in order to maintain the momentum in bilateral ties, he said.

He urged both sides to promptly formulate implementation guidance between 2009 and 2012 of the Sino-Russian treaty of good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation.

Putin said the Russia-China ties have reached the unprecedented high level, thanks to concerted efforts made by both countries.

He said the Russian and Chinese leaders have held frequent meetings, the bilateral trade has seen rapid growth, cultural exchanges have been increasingly conducted, cooperation and friendship have been enhanced steadily in the border areas of both countries and their cooperation has also improved in regional and international affairs.

He hailed the cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which was founded in June 2001 grouping China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Putin also expressed gratitude to President Hu and the Chinese government for the efforts to promote bilateral ties and all-round cooperation.

He pledged to enhance coordination between the two countries and in regional and global affairs.

He stressed that the territorial sovereignty constitutes a key element of norms governing international laws. Russia firmly supports China on the Taiwan issue, he said, emphasizing that such a policy "remains unchanged."

Leaders of the 21 member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) wrapped up their annual meeting Sunday in Sydney, agreeing to further promote trade and improve energy efficiency for the region's sustainable development.

(Xinhua News Agency September 9, 2007)