China and Russia on Thursday initiated an annual regular
exchange mechanism between the National People's Congress (NPC),
China's top legislature, and the State Duma, the lower house of the
Russian parliament.
NPC Standing Committee Chairman Wu
Bangguo and visiting State Duma Chairman Boris Gryzlov signed a
constitution of the cooperation committee between the two sides on
Thursday afternoon following their talks at the Great Hall of the
People.
The committee, with Wu and Gryzlov as chairmen, will hold a
meeting every year in China and Russia in turn.
During the talks, Wu spoke positively of Sino-Russian relations
and pointed to the sound development of bilateral relations in
recent years and remarkable cooperation results in various
fields.
He listed new and substantial progress on major issues between
the two countries this year including the ratification of the
supplementary agreement on the eastern border. This agreement
marked the smooth settlement of the judicial procedure on their
border issue, the initiation of a consultation mechanism on
national security, and the agreement on strengthening bilateral
energy and investment cooperation.
Wu said China views Russia as an important strategic partner and
gives strategic priority to the development of Sino-Russian
relations and to furthering bilateral strategic and cooperative
partnership, an issue of great significance to safeguarding common
interests and promoting mutual development.
He said the two sides should strengthen mutual support on major
issues concerning sovereignty, territorial integrity and security,
and the Chinese side appreciates Russia's consistent and firm
support for China on such issues as Taiwan, Tibet and human rights
and, in turn, firmly supports Russia's fight against Chechen
terrorist forces.
Wu also suggested that the two sides advance economic and trade
cooperation with the expectation of breakthroughs in energy,
electro-mechanicals trade, among other projects, expand cultural
exchange, enhance coordination on international and regional
issues, and strengthen their cooperation in international and
regional organizations such as the United Nations.
Gryzlov, who is here on an official goodwill visit as Wu's
guest, said Russia and China are friendly neighbors and the State
Duma and all political parties of Russia hold the same view on
furthering Russia-China relations.
He said the State Duma will continue exchanges with the NPC in
various fields, including economic legislation, and will promote
bilateral economic and trade cooperation so as to better serve the
economic development of each country and enhance understanding and
friendship between the two peoples.
He also reiterated Russia's firm adherence to the one-China
policy.
(Xinhua News Agency June 17, 2005)
