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The year 2005 witnessed a consolidation of the good neighborly ties between China and Russia and a boost in their strategic cooperation. Leaders of the two countries held frequent exchanges, and bilateral cooperation in the political, economic, military, energy and other fields made headway. In May, after attending celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the victory of Russia's Great Patriotic War, President Hu Jintao paid a state visit to Russia. He and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin signed the Joint Statement on the International Order of the 21st Century, clarifying the two countries' shared positions on major international affairs. Foreign ministers of the two countries exchanged ratification instruments for the Supplementary Agreement on the Eastern Section of the China-Russia Boundary Line in June, marking the final settlement of the China-Russia boundary line issue. The two countries also initiated a strategic security consultation mechanism. China-Russia military cooperation was also stepped up with their first joint military exercises staged in August. The brand-new, country-to-country relationship between China and Russia demonstrates the two countries' firm determination to promote world peace, stability and prosperity.
The two countries' cooperation in trade and investment saw notable development in 2005. Bilateral trade volume reached US$29.1 billion, an increase of 33 percent over the previous year. China is set to become Russia's second largest trading partner only next to Germany. The Outline on Implementing the Treaty of Good Neighborliness and Cooperation between China and Russia jointly approved by the two countries' heads of state sets clear-cut goals such as raising bilateral trade volume to US$60-80 billion by 2010 and increasing China's investment in Russia to US$12 billion by 2020. The two countries further explored channels to optimize the trade mix, increase investment, promote cooperation on large projects, press ahead with hi-tech cooperation and standardize the trade order. They also signed a series of cooperation documents in energy, finance and other fields.
The two governments have said the Songhuajiang River pollution incident at the end of 2005 would not adversely affect bilateral relations. They vowed to strengthen cooperation to minimize the impact of the pollution. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao wrote to Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov, demonstrating China's responsible attitude toward the incident.
The two countries' heads of state also decided to hold a Year of Russia in China in 2006 and a Year of China in Russia in 2007. More than 250 cooperation projects in politics, economy, military affairs, science and technology, culture, investment and other areas, are expected in the Year of Russia.
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