China's top legislator Wu Bangguo met in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to discuss bilateral ties and exchange views on international and regional issues of common concern.

 

During the meeting with Putin in the Kremlin, Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, said bilateral ties between China and Russia were developing at a fast pace.

 

He added that the countries' mutually beneficial cooperation had continued to expand since the establishment of the strategic partnership and the signing of the treaty of friendly cooperation.

 

The two countries have offered mutual understanding and support on major issues regarding sovereignty and territory and maintained effective coordination in international and regional affairs, Wu said.

 

President Putin's successful visit to China, the Year of Russia being held in China and the scheduled meetings of the two countries' top leaders have made this year an important one in bilateral ties, the Chinese top legislator said.

 

Wu expressed China's readiness to work with Russia to deepen political mutual trust, boost practical cooperation in such areas as economy, trade, investment, energy and continually push forward the strategic partnership.

 

Putin, for his part, said he looked forward to meeting Chinese President Hu Jintao at the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Shanghai next month to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the group's establishment since 2001.

 

China's rapid growth has provided opportunities for the expansion of cooperation between the two countries in various areas, he said, adding that with joint efforts Russian-Chinese ties had reached unprecedented high levels, he said.

 

The Russian president said deepening political trust, expanding economic and trade cooperation between Russia and China and strengthening coordination in international and regional affairs are in the interests of the two countries and two peoples and are conducive to safeguarding regional and world peace and stability.

 

The first meeting of SCO's top legislators was a major event in the development of the group, Putin said.

 

Strengthening parliamentary cooperation in the SCO can provide a more solid legal guarantee for the growth of the organization, he added.

 

Earlier in the day, top legislators from the member states of the group gathered in the Russian capital for their first meeting.

 

The SCO groups China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

 

(Xinhua News Agency May 31, 2006)