The strategic partnership of cooperation between China and Russia is going in-depth and leaders of the two countries have maintained close contact, said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue at a regular press conference Tuesday.
After his meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush on June 16 in Slovenia, Russian President Vladimir Putin briefed Chinese President Jiang Zemin on the event over the telephone, Zhang said.
"Jiang thanked Putin for the briefing, and Putin voiced thanks for the hospitality during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit. The two expressed a common aspiration to meet again in Moscow during Jiang's state visit to Russia, which is scheduled for July this year," said the spokeswoman.
The telephone conversation demonstrates the close and friendly relationship between the two countries, she added.
During Jiang's forthcoming visit to Russia, the two presidents will sign a treaty promoting good-neighbourly friendship and cooperation, Zhang said.
"This treaty represents the common aspiration of the two peoples in maintaining everlasting friendship, and shows the fact that the all-round development of Sino-Russian relationship serves the fundamental interest of the two peoples and helps safeguard peace, stability and development of the region and the world at large," she said.
(Xinhua News Agency 06/19/2001)
