President Hu Jintao returned to Beijing on Thursday morning after his three-day state visit to Russia at the invitation of his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

During the visit, President Hu held talks with Putin. The two countries signed a joint statement on ways to further develop the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation.

Both leaders attended the opening ceremony of the Year of China in Russia and that of a Chinese national exhibition.

The Year of China in Russia, a reciprocal event to the Year of Russia marked in China last year, will stage some 200 events covering politics, economy, science and culture to enhance exchanges and understanding between the two countries in various areas.

(Xinhua News Agency March 29, 2007)