Russia, China to deepen comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership

Russia and China have deepened their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, as the two countries maintain close cooperation in areas of politics, economy, culture and international affairs, Russian President Vladimir Putin said here Friday.

During a meeting with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Putin said the two countries enjoy a solid foundation and broad prospects for practical cooperation. He urged the two sides to speed up joint work in major programs, and beef up cooperation in energy and electromechanical fields.

Russia attaches importance to the Russia-China Media Exchange Year, and is willing to strengthen coordination with China in global affairs, and jointly uphold the basic principles of international relations, Putin noted.

Wang, for his part, said as this year marks the 15th anniversary of the China-Russia Treaty of Good Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, China is ready to take this opportunity to further promote its partnership with Russia.

Russia is a priority orientation for China's development of foreign cooperation, said Wang, adding that both the scale and quality of economic cooperation and trade between the two sides have been growing despite hard times, which indicates that there exist vast potential and broad prospects for bilateral practical cooperation.

Wang said China is fully confident in Russia's future development and is willing to further promote the level of practical cooperation with Russia.

As both China and Russia are important forces for maintaining world peace and stability as well as impartiality and justice, they should continue strengthening strategic cooperation, Wang said.

During the meeting, Wang conveyed cordial greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Putin, who offered his appreciation and in turn asked Wang to convey his good wishes to the Chinese leader. Endi