Visiting Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo said in Moscow Wednesday during talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin that China expects the Russian leader's visit in October, which would bring new momentum to the development of bilateral ties.

Putin's visit to China will be of great significance to the bilateral relationship, said Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress.

Great changes have taken place in Russia in the economic and social fields, Wu said, expressing his belief that more achievements would be made under the leadership of Putin who was reelected to a second four-year term in March.

Wu, who is on an official good-will visit to Russia, said that China highly values Putin's contribution to the development of Sino-Russian relationship in his first term.

The visiting Chinese legislator noted that China and Russia have consistently supported each other on issues of state sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as some other vital issues. The two countries have also witnessed the expansion of bilateral cooperation in the economic, trade and cultural fields.

The new Chinese central leadership attaches great importance to bilateral ties and will make efforts in furthering the Sino-Russian strategic partnership and push the comprehensive cooperation to a new level, Wu added.

Wu also praised the cooperation between the Chinese National People's Congress and the two houses of Russian parliament in recent years, adding that their frequent meetings have contributed to a better mutual understanding and trust.

Putin expressed his warm welcome to the visit of Chinese top legislator and the expectation to meet with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao this year.

The Russian president stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation with China, saying that the two neighbors have maintained high-level cooperation in political and economic affairs and in the world arena.

He noted that the active communication between the legislatures of both sides plays a key role in promoting bilateral ties, including the regional cooperation.

Putin and Wu agreed that it is important for Russia and China to maintain close consultation and cooperation on vital international and regional issues.

Exchanging views on the current international situation, the two leaders insisted on the widely recognized principles of the international law and proposed a central role for the United Nations in dealing with complicated world affairs.

Both sides reaffirmed their willingness to reinforce cooperation within the framework of international organizations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in order to safeguard world and regional peace and stability.

(Xinhua News Agency May 27, 2004)