Both members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, China and Russia have actively cooperated in maintaining regional peace and security, fighting the "three evil forces" of terrorism, extremism and separatism, cracking down on drugs and arms trafficking and boosting regional economic cooperation.

Russian Ambassador to China Sergey Razov said the two sides would sign series of documents, including one expressing both views on major international and regional issues.

"China and Russia, facing the changing international situation, share the willingness of expressing common views and playing constructive roles in international and regional issues," Jiang said.

Assistance showcase friendship

Hearing of the May 12 earthquake in southwest China that claimed more than 51,000 lives, Medvedev sent a letter of condolence the same day to President Hu, followed by four batches of aid materials and rescue teams.

Russia's fast reaction and generous assistance showed not only its care and humanitarian spirit, but also reflected the un derstanding and friendship between the Russian and Chinese peoples, Jiang said.

The Russian government has promised to send a "high-level" delegation to the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games in August.

The Russian delegation, composed of about 470 members, will be one of the largest delegations to the Games, said Razov.

Analysts called for more efforts from the two nations to cement the material and social foun dations of bilateral ties, such as optimizing trade structure, regulating trade orders, two-way investment and expanding new cooperation projects.

(Xinhua News Agency May 23, 2008)