Hu, on the last day of his three-day state visit to Russia, met separately with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, State Duma Chairman Gennady Seleznev and Federation Council Chairman Sergei Mironov.

Hu had emphasized that the Chinese Government and its leaders valued their Sino-Russian relations and would continue to adhere to the principles and polices of bilateral, good-neighborly cooperation.

The Chinese leader called on two countries to create an open and fair environment for bilateral economic cooperation and the resolving of disputes through amicable consultations.

Kasyanov said during the meeting that Russia and China had witnessed a healthy and steady development in their relations in recent years, and had enjoyed marked progress in cooperation in different areas.

The rapid growth of bilateral trade augurs an even brighter future for economic ties between the two nations, the Russian PM said, adding that a series of political and legal documents had laid a solid foundation for the long-term development of a strategic partnership.

Hu and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks on Tuesday and signed a joint statement addressing the views of both sides on bilateral ties and major international issues, including the postwar reconstruction of Iraq and the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.

In a speech delivered earlier Wednesday at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Hu spoke highly of those Russian friends who had contributed to the development of Sino-Russian ties. He expressed his confidence, and remarked that he was hopeful for the future of continued friendly and cooperative relations.

Hu put forward several proposals for the expansion of the Sino-Russian strategic cooperative partnership. The suggestions included strengthening mutual support and mutual political trust, expanding mutually beneficial economic cooperation, exploring wider channels for friendly exchanges and maintaining close coordination in the international arena.

Hu's speech was met with repeated rounds of warm applause by his audience. A keen interest was shown by those from a variety of Russian circles in further strengthening the strategic cooperative partnership with China.

The Chinese leader said in his speech that China and Russia, as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, bore a weighty responsibility for peace, stability and global security.

"We advocate a multipolar world. The important role of UN and its security should be given in settling the major world issues,'' Hu said.

"The Chinese people are ready to step up cooperation with the people of Russia and other countries so as to make the world peaceful, prosperous and harmonious,'' he continued.

Also Wednesday, ahead of the third summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) which begins Thursday, Hu met Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev.

In June 2001, China, Russia and four central Asian countries (Kazakhtan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan) set up the SCO, with the aim of maintaining regional peace, security and stability, and contributing to the establishment of a new and just political and economic order in the world.

Since its foundation the SCO has pursued an active cooperation policy on the international scene. It has touched upon problems of international and regional issues such as terrorism, separatism and extremism.

(China Daily May 29, 2003)