The two sides also agreed to step up coordination in international affairs to deal with the global challenges, jointly promote the establishment of a new international financial order and improve representation of the developing countries and emerging economies.

During his talks with Putin, Wen said Putin's visit at the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-Russian ties is of great significance.

Bilateral relations have become stable and mature since the forging of diplomatic ties 60 years ago and particularly the establishment of the Russia-China strategic cooperative partnership in 1996, Wen said.

The level of political mutual trust, strategic and practical cooperation between the two countries has been improved continuously and yielded many achievements, effectively advancing the development of bilateral ties and positively influencing world peace and development, he said.

The Sino-Russian relations are role models of relations between neighboring countries and relations between big powers, said Wen, adding that China is willing to work with Russia to make greater achievements in the future.

Putin warmly offered congratulations on the 60th anniversary of the founding of New China, saying China has achieved great success in various areas in the past 60 years.

Russia and China have become genuine and comprehensive strategic and cooperative partners in recent years, he said.

The two sides have carried out cooperation in politics, economy and international affairs with mutual trust, and the bilateral economic cooperation has withstood the test of the global financial crisis, Putin said.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R Front) and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (L Front) meet the entrepreneurs' delegates who are here to attend the Fourth China-Russia Economic and Trade Summit Forum at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 13, 2009. [Xie Huanchi/Xinhua]

Later Tuesday, Wen and Putin also met with the business people who attended a China-Russia economic forum.

Before the forum, Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang and his Russian counterpart Alexander Zhukov attended the signing of deals worth 4 billion US dollars between financial institutions and enterprises of the two countries.

"China-Russia trade has seen fruitful results and has brought tangible benefits to the two countries," said Wen.

Wen hoped the business people from the two countries should take the opportunities and make joint efforts to tackle the global economic downturn.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (2nd R) and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (3rd L) meet the entrepreneurs' delegates who are here to attend the Fourth China-Russia Economic and Trade Summit Forum at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 13, 2009. [Xie Huanchi/Xinhua]