Chinese senior legislator Gu Xiulian and her Russian counterpart Svetlana Orlova pledged on Wednesday to cooperate in improving the status of women in the two countries.

Gu, vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislative body, and Orlova, vice speaker of the Federal Council, the upper house of Russian parliament, spoke highly of an ongoing women's culture week during their meeting in Moscow.

Gu, also president of the All-China Women's Federation, is heading an 80-strong Chinese delegation for the fourth China-Russia Women's Culture Week, due to end on July 8 in Moscow.

Events scheduled during the week include a women's forum, which started on Wednesday, an exhibition of handicrafts, a families gathering and performances. The women's culture week is part of activities marking the "Year of China" in Russia.

(Xinhua News Agency July 5, 2007)