Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Meng Jianzhu met with Russian Minister of Internal Affairs Rashid Nurgaliyev in Moscow on Tuesday to discuss bilateral cooperation on law enforcement.

The development of the China-Russia strategic partnership of cooperation has maintained a vigorous momentum since 2009, with pragmatic cooperation in fighting terrorism, separatism and extremism entering a new phase, Meng said.

Meng thanked Russia for its efforts to handle cases involving Chinese citizens, urging it to continue to take effective measures to ensure the safety and legal rights of the Chinese living in Russia.

The Chinese state councilor also expressed the hope that departments of public security and internal affairs in border regions would enhance cooperation to safeguard regional peace and stability.

Nurgaliyev, for his part, said Russia attaches great importance to the protection of Chinese citizens' safety and legal rights, and would like to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation on law enforcement.

Nurgaliyev also said Russia is willing to learn the Chinese experience in maintaining security during the Beijing Olympic Games.

Meng arrived in Russia on Sunday for meetings of interior and public security ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization(SCO).

(Xinhua News Agency May 21, 2009)