Chinese, Russian Presidents meet

Chinese President Hu Jintao made a three-point proposal to Russian President Vladimir Putin Thursday in Tashkent when they met after the summit meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Hu proposed that the two countries make an outline on implementing the China-Russian Friendly Treaty on Good-Neighborly Cooperation as soon as possible with the aim to strengthen cooperation on major projects.

The two sides should increase investment in the other side and expand local cooperation, Hu said.

The two sides should also handle any trade problems with the spirit of mutual benefit, mutual concession and friendly consultation, Hu added.

"China views its relations with Russia as one of its most important foreign relations," he said. "China treasures its traditional friendship with Russia and the the strategic partnership relations with Russia."

The Chinese president said China and Russia should enhance their strategic partnership relations under current world situation.

Putin said Russia and China have increased mutual political trust and their cooperation in trade, military technology and culture has also grown rapidly.

The Russian president said he agreed with Hu's three-point proposal, and that Russia will work with China to lift the level of trade and economic ties between them.

Putin pledged that Russia will give "full consideration" of China's interest when making decisions on any projects related to China as China is the biggest neighbor and a strategic partner of Russia.

China and Russia have scheduled to celebrate their 55th anniversary on bilateral diplomatic relations. Hu and Putin will meet in Beijing in October for the celebration.

The two presidents also exchanged views on the situation of the Middle East, the nuclear issues on the Korean eninsular and the G-8 meeting.