China, Russia to promote strategic partnership over next decade
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China and Russia agreed Friday to promote the steady growth of their bilateral strategic partnership over the next decade.
That pledge was made during a meeting between visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Yang said Chinese President Hu Jintao would visit Russia later this year and celebrate the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation between China and Russia.
Over the next 10 years, Yang said, China and Russia would not only face important opportunities for their national renewal, but also for further development of their bilateral ties.
He also said the presidents of the two nations have already agreed to step up cooperation and better coordination on regional and international issues.
This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Founded in Shanghai in 2001, the SCO comprises six member countries: China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Yang said China is willing to cooperate with Russia and other SCO members.
Lavrov said a growing bilateral strategic partnership between Russia and China serves the interests of both sides.
He said Russia values its cooperation with China within the SCO, adding that it would like to work with China for the organization's future development.
During their meeting, the two foreign ministers also exchanged views on the situations in Western Asia and North Africa, as well as other regional and international issues.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Yang will attend a regular meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the SCO on May 14 in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan.
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