President Hu Jintao yesterday highlighted result-oriented cooperation between China and Russia in a meeting with visiting Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Yefimovich Fradkov.

 

"China is ready to work with Russia to implement a series of cooperative agreements signed by the two countries so as to lift China-Russia result-oriented cooperation to a new height," Hu told Fradkov.

 

To further develop China-Russia strategic partnership of cooperation is the common political will of both countries and complies with the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, he said.

 

Hu hailed sound development of bilateral ties, citing closer contacts between the leaders of the two countries, increasing trade and new progress on big projects.

 

The two countries have also had close coordination in major international affairs and multilateral fields, he said.

 

Hu and Fradkov also exchanged views on Korean and Iranian nuclear issues.

 

They agreed to realize denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula through peaceful negotiations, and hoped parties concerned will take flexible and pragmatic attitude to revive the stalled six-party talks at an early date.

 

In regard to Iran, the two sides vowed to safeguard international non-proliferation regime and avoid new turbulence in the Middle East region, advocating diplomacy to solve the nuclear issue.

 

Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), also met with Fradkov yesterday. Wu spoke highly of the just-concluded "Year of Russia in China," saying the governments and people of the two countries have strong aspirations for friendly exchanges and mutual cooperation.

 

Wu said the parliaments of China and Russia are expected to make joint efforts to participate in the "Year of China in Russia" to be held in Russia in 2007 to serve the overall situation of China-Russia strategic partnership of cooperation.

 

Premier Wen Jiabao and Fradkov held a regular meeting in Beijing on Thursday, in which they pledged to further promote bilateral oil, gas and nuclear energy cooperation.

 

After the 11th regular meeting, Wen and Fradkov witnessed the signing of a series of cooperative documents including agreements on mutual investment and education cooperation, and a Memorandum of Understanding on peaceful utilization of nuclear energy.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 11, 2006)

 

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