The strategic partnership between China and Russia has entered a new phase and the two legislatures should help transmit China-Russia friendship from generation to generation, President Hu Jintao said in Beijing Tuesday.

 

Hu made the remarks in his meeting with visiting Russian State Duma (the lower house of parliament) Chairman Boris Gryzlov. He said that China and Russia are jointly responsible for developing bilateral relations to a high level.

 

China and Russia will step up friendly cooperation by hosting national theme years in each country, Hu said.

 

Hu and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have agreed to host national theme years in each country to enhance the China-Russia Strategic partnership. The "Year of Russia" was a success in China in 2006.

 

He also called on the two legislatures to continue to solidify the legal foundation of bilateral cooperation and the implementation of agreements between the two sides.

 

Echoing Hu's views, Gryzlov said that bilateral relations have become much stronger.

 

Bilateral cooperation will bring huge benefits for both peoples, and the Russian State Duma will work hard to make "the Year of China" a success, Gryzlov said.

 

During the meeting between top political advisor Jia Qinglin and Gryzlov, they praised the development of the China-Russia strategic partnership.

 

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), acknowledged the "remarkable advance" of bilateral ties.

 

The two countries support each other on issues concerning their fundamental interests and coordinate well on significant regional and international issues, the advisor stressed.

 

Jia said China was willing to boost inter-parliamentary exchanges between the CCPCC and the Russian State Duma.

 

He proposed the two organs to explore new approaches to exchange views on economic and social issues.

 

Gryznov said that the Duma will continue to cooperate with Chinese parliamentary organizations.

 

Invited by Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), Gryzlov arrived in Beijing on Monday. He attended the second meeting of a cooperative commission between the NPC and the Russian State Duma.

 

(Xinhua News Agency May 16, 2007)