Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with the visiting Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan at the Kremlin Palace in Moscow, capital of Russia, Feb. 2, 2005.

Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted a senior Chinese official on Wednesday, hailing the development of bilateral ties and calling for further joint efforts in defending world peace and stability.

Russian-Chinese strategic partnership has witnessed comprehensive development at all levels in recent years, Putin told visiting Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, saying that Russia gives priority to the development of cooperation with China.

He noted that being permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, Russia and China should intensify their consultations in dealing with world affairs to tackle all kinds of threats and challenges, in an aim to protect world peace and regional stability.

The Russian president called on both sides to promote political dialogues and maintain high-level communications to facilitate more substantial achievements in some key fields of cooperation, including the energy sector, economy and trade, and science and technology.

Putin confirmed that Russia sticks to the "one China" policy, resolutely opposes to any forms of "Taiwan independence", and supports China's efforts in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Tang said that China and Russia hold similar views on some vital international and regional issues and share common interests in the tasks of defending world peace and promoting joint development.

Facing new challenges on safeguarding national security under a complicated international situation, China and Russia must deepen mutual trust, promote communication, consultation and cooperation, which will contribute to the protection of their own interest and the world and regional peace and stability.

The Chinese councilor thanked Russia for its unswerving support to China on the Taiwan issue and on the anti-secession law.

Tang arrived here on Monday for a four-day official visit at the invitation of Russian Security Council Secretary Igor Ivanov.