Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with Russian parliament members Tuesday, and both sides pledged to unswervingly push forward the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination.

The partnership between China and Russia has made great headway since it was forged 10 years ago, Wen told some 30 members of the Federation Council and the State Duma, the upper and lower houses of Russia's parliament.

The two countries have conducted active cooperation in the fields of politics, economy and humanities, exchanged frequent high-level visits and strengthened mutual political trust, he said, adding that the reciprocal national years were successful.

The China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination conforms with the fundamental interests of the two peoples, has a solid foundation and enjoys a broad prospect of development, Wen said.

He said that whatever happens, China and Russia should firmly promote their partnership.

The Chinese premier hopes that the two countries' legislatures will strengthen exchanges and cooperation and jointly contribute to the development of bilateral ties.

Russian lawmakers said Russia's political parties support the development of the partnership with China, adding that such a stance will be maintained no matter what changes in parliament.

They called on the two countries to enhance cooperation between Russia's far eastern and China's northeastern regions, jointly protect cross-border water resources, set up cultural centers and enhance exchanges in the area of humanities.

Wen arrived in Moscow Monday for a two-day official visit to Russia, the last leg of his four-nation tour, which also took him to Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Belarus.

(Xinhua News Agency November 7, 2007)