Visiting State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Zhou Yongkang called for more cooperation between China and Russia when meeting top Russian officials in Moscow yesterday.

 

The frequent exchanges between Russian and Chinese top officials, the close bilateral and international cooperation, and the "Year of Russia in China" contribute to the progress of the Russia-China strategic coordinating partnership, Federation Council Speaker Sergei Mironov said at a meeting with Zhou.

 

The Russian parliament will devote to the development of Russia-China relations and enhance exchanges with Chinese legislature, he said.

 

Zhou said that Chinese President Hu Jintao and Russian President Vladimir Putin had met three times this year, which made out the next step for the development of the partnership.

 

"The legislative cooperation will be a drive for provincial cooperation between the two countries because many regional top officials are members of Russia's parliament," he added.

 

Zhou also met Security Council Secretary Igor Ivanov yesterday.

 

Zhou said at the meeting that the two sides will enhance security cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization format. Besides, both sides should protect citizens of the other side, especially their personal and property safety.

 

Ivanov said the cooperation on combating terrorism, separatism, extremism and drug-trafficking is beneficial for regional security and stability. He said Zhou's visit gave the cooperation a clearer prospect.

 

Zhou started his two-day visit to Russia from Monday.

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 26, 2006)