Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin released a joint statement on Monday with at its center a pledge to evolve the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation.

In the decade since the strategic partnership was launched, bilateral cooperation has maintained a brisk pace, bringing tangible benefits to both peoples, the statement read.

Sino-Russian cooperation, and its comprehensive strength, conforms to the supreme interests of the two countries and helps to safeguard peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and worldwide, said the statement.

Practical cooperation will be improved and strategic coordination will be boosted, and as a consequence aid in taking the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation to new heights, it said.

Looking to the future and building a firm base by consolidating the achievements seen in the past 10 years, the two sides pledged unremitting efforts to promote mutual trust and enhance cooperation in politics. They further agreed to forge ahead with cooperation in terms of the economy, science and technology and security.

As set down in the Sino-Russian Good-Neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, the two world powers will maintain mutual support in all major issues concerning independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The statement also added that Russia reiterated its complete support of the Chinese government in terms of the Taiwan and Tibet issues, the statement said.

The legal foundation necessary to all bilateral cooperation was also catered to with further exchanges between China and Russia's respective parliaments agreed upon.

Under the Supplementary Agreement on the Eastern Section of China-Russia Boundary Line signed on Oct. 14, 2004, demarcation of the boundary is progressing well, the statement said, adding that work should be completed?within 2007.

The resolution of the border issue will greatly contribute to strengthening bilateral ties and bolstering cooperation in the border areas, as both nations move forward in securing lasting peace and mutual benefit, the statement said.

Just as 2006's "Year of Russia in China" helped build mutual political trust and deepen cooperation in such areas as politics, economy, trade and science and technology, all necessary measures will be taken to ensure the success of the ongoing "Year of China in Russia".

President Hu arrived in Moscow on Monday for a three-day state visit.

(Xinhua News Agency March 27, 2007)