Russian leaders praised President Hu Jintao's visit which involved
close consultations and coordination between the two on important
international issues and made a positive contribution towards world
peace and stability.
Hu, on the last day of his three-day state visit to Russia, met
separately with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, State Duma
Chairman Gennady Seleznev and Federation Council Chairman Sergei
Mironov.
Hu
had emphasized that the Chinese Government and its leaders valued
their Sino-Russian relations and would continue to adhere to the
principles and polices of bilateral, good-neighborly
co-operation.
The Chinese leader called on two countries to create an open and
fair environment for bilateral economic co-operation and the
resolving of disputes through amicable consultations.
Kasyanov said during the meeting that Russia and China had
witnessed a healthy and steady development in their relations in
recent years, and had enjoyed marked progress in co-operation in
different areas.
The rapid growth of bilateral trade augurs an even brighter future
for economic ties between the two nations , the Russian PM said,
adding that a series of political and legal documents had laid a
solid foundation for the long-term development of a strategic
partnership.
Hu
and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks on Tuesday and
signed a joint statement addressing the views of both sides on
bilateral ties and major international issues, including the
post-war reconstruction of Iraq and the nuclear issue on the Korean
Peninsula.
In
a speech delivered earlier Wednesday at the Moscow State Institute
of International Relations, Hu spoke highly of those Russian
friends who had contributed to the development of Sino-Russian
ties. He expressed his confidence, and remarked that he was hopeful
for the future of continued friendly and co-operative
relations.
Hu
put forward several proposals for the expansion of the Sino-Russian
strategic co-operative partnership. The suggestions included
strengthening mutual support and mutual political trust, expanding
mutually beneficial economic cooperation, exploring wider channels
for friendly exchanges and maintaining close coordination in the
international arena.
Hu's speech was met with repeated rounds of warm applause by his
audience. A keen interest was shown by those from a variety of
Russian circles in further strengthening the strategic co-operative
partnership with China.
The Chinese leader said in his speech that China and Russia, as
permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, bore a
weighty responsibility forpeace, stability and global security.
"We advocate a multipolar world. The important role of UN and its
security should be given in settling the major world issues,'' Hu
said.
"The Chinese people are ready to step up co-operation with the
people of Russia and other countries so as to make the world
peaceful, prosperous and harmonious,'' he continued.
Also Wednesday, ahead of the third summit of the Shanghai
Co-operation Organization (SCO) which begins Thursday, Hu met
Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev.
In
June 2001, China, Russia and four central Asian countries
(Kazakhtan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan) set up the SCO,
with the aim of maintaining regional peace, security and stability,
and contributing to the establishment of a new and just political
and economic order in the world.
Since its foundation the SCO has pursued an active co-operation
policy on the international scene. It has touched upon problems of
international and regional issues such as terrorism, separatism and
extremism.
(China Daily May 29, 2003)