Premier Wen Jiabao met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday to discuss bilateral relations and major international issues.

Wen, who arrived earlier yesterday to attend the 4th Meeting of Prime Ministers of the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, said China-Russia ties have been consolidated and have registered new development this year.

The two countries have started a consultation mechanism on strategic security, approved a border agreement, issued a joint statement on international order in the new century and held a joint military exercise, Wen said.

Putin said the Russia-China strategic partnership is a close, long-term relationship and an important factor in international politics. He added it is also the most important and a priority direction in Russia's foreign policy.

Russia hopes both sides can maintain the high level of mutual trust and further develop this relationship, Putin said.

Wen said bilateral cooperation in economy, trade, energy and technology has been fruitful, and they have offered firm support to each other on issues concerning national sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security.

Both China and Russia are at an important stage of development, and establishing and developing a strategic partnership is the right choice, said Wen.

It is a wish shared by the two peoples that their countries remain sincere friends, good neighbors and cooperating partners, Wen said, adding it is in the interests of both countries and their peoples.

The strategic partnership is not targeted at any third party, he said, but is devoted to establishing a diverse, just and reasonable new international political and economic order, ultimately conducive to global peace and development.

Wen stressed China and Russia should look at bilateral ties from a strategic and long-term perspective and continue to push forward the strategic partnership.

Wen expressed the hope that existing agreements can be well implemented and that the two countries can sign an investment protection agreement at an early date.

Putin said the two countries should optimize trade structures, provide convenient market access, boost import of electromechanical and high-tech products and expand cooperation in energy, investment and production.

(Xinhua News Agency October 27, 2005)