A senior Chinese diplomat on Thursday hailed China-Russia relations, saying that current ties are at an unprecedented high.

Li Hui, assistant foreign minister, made the remarks at a press conference on the Year of Russia in China.

China and Russia have solved border issues and supported each other on major issues concerning sovereignty and territorial integrity with increasing mutual trust, Li said.

"The two sides have expanded cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, energy, science and technology and humanities, which have brought about tangible benefits for the two peoples," he said.

The two countries have also supported each other in relation to international issues such as UN reform, the Korean Peninsular and Iran nuclear issues, and the building of a multipolar world.

"China and Russia are each other's largest neighbors and important strategic partners," Li said, noting that ensuring the long-lasting friendship between the two is a long-term policy for both governments.

Russian Ambassador to China Sergey Razov said that military cooperation is not the most important part of Russia-China relations.

Razov gave an introduction to the Year of Russia, to be inaugurated during Russian President Vladimir Putin's state visit to China on March 21 and 22.

Razov told the media not to pay too much attention to the military programs during the Year of Russia, which after all account for only a portion of the planned activities.

In August 2005, Chinese and Russian armed forces conducted their first-ever joint military drill.

Razov said the drill was aimed at boosting bilateral cooperation in fighting against terrorism and promoting peace and stability in the region.

"The drill and military cooperation between the two countries are not targeted at any third party," Razov stressed.

The Year of Russia in 2006 in China, and the Year of China in 2007 in Russia were declared in a joint statement last year. The two goodwill programs involve cooperation and exchange in many areas, and are designed to enhance mutual understanding between the two countries and peoples.

(Xinhua News Agency March 16, 2006)