Late last year, the leaders of the two countries mapped out a general plan for the future development of the China-Russia strategic partnership of cooperation based on the successful development of bilateral relations over the past decade, Tang said. 　　

China's new group of leaders also attached great importance to relations with Russia, he said.

One of China's main tasks this year was to actively implement cooperative agreements reached by Chinese and Russian leaders as well as the spirit of the Sino-Russian Good-Neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, and to enhance cooperation and coordination in the political, economic, trade and international affairs fields, he said.

Ivanov said Russia was satisfied with China's declared aim to develop bilateral relations on the basis of the treaty, which provided a sound foundation for the further development of the strategic partnership of cooperation.

The two sides held exactly the same stance on the issue, he said.

The two foreign ministers discussed and agreed on this year's high-level exchanges.

The two sides also exchanged views on bilateral cooperation in economy and trade, energy, counter-terrorism, and the consolidation of consultations between the two foreign ministries. 　　

On the issue of Iraq, Tang said Iraq must fully cooperate with the United Nations more actively and unconditionally, and completely destroy weapons of mass destruction.

The international community should continue to seek a political solution to the Iraq issue within the framework of the United Nations, and all-out efforts should be made to avoid war, Tang said, noting the urgent need is to continue inspections, but not to propose a new resolution.

On the nuclear issue in the Korean Peninsula, Tang reiterated China's principled stance, pointing out that the two parties concerned, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the United States, should consider each other's concerns.

But mistrust existed between the two sides, he said, noting the most effective measure was dialogue between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the United States.

China was willing to continue playing a positive role in this respect, Tang said.

Ivanov briefed Tang on Russia's stance and work on the issues of Iraq and the Korean Peninsula. The two foreign ministers agreed to continue consultations and cooperation over such issues.

(Xinhua News Agency February 28, 2003)