China and Russia initiated in Beijing on June 16 the annual regular exchange mechanism between the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, and the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament.

NPC Standing Committee Chairman Wu Bangguo and visiting State Duma Chairman Boris Gryzlov signed a constitution of the cooperation committee between the two sides here Thursday afternoon following their talks at the Great Hall of the People, which marked the formal initiation of the mechanism.

The committee, with Wu and Gryzlov as the chairmen, will hold a meeting every year in China or Russia in turn.

During the talks, Wu spoke positively of Sino-Russian relations and pointed to the sound development of bilateral relations in recent years and remarkable cooperation results in various fields.

He listed new and substantial progresses on major issues between the two countries this year including the ratification of the supplementary agreement on the eastern-section of the bilateral border that marked the smooth completion of the complete settlement of the judicial procedure of their border issue, the initiation of a consultation mechanism on national security, and the agreement on strengthening bilateral energy and investment cooperation.

Wu said China takes Russia as an important strategic partner and gives strategic priority to the development of Sino-Russian relations and to furthering bilateral strategic and cooperative partnership, an issue of great significance to safeguarding common interests and promoting common development.

He said the two sides should strengthen mutual support on major issues concerning sovereignty, territorial integrity and security, and the Chinese side appreciates Russia's consistent and firm support for China on such issues as Taiwan, Tibet and human rights and firmly supports Russia's fight against Chechen terrorist forces.

He also suggested the two sides advance economic and trade cooperation with the expectation for breakthroughs in energy, electro-mechanicals trade and some big projects, expand cultural exchanges, enhance coordination on international and regional issues, and strengthen cooperation in international and regional organizations such as the United Nations.

Wu also said the NPC attaches great importance to its relations with the State Duma and will advance bilateral exchanges in various fields and at various levels to promote the further development of bilateral strategic and cooperative partnership.

Gryzlov, who is here on an official goodwill visit as Wu's guest, said Russia and China are friendly neighbors and the State Duma and all political parties of Russia hold the same view on furthering Russia-China relations.

He said the State Duma will continue exchanges with the NPC in various fields, including economic legislation, and will promote bilateral economic and trade cooperation so as to better serve the economic development of each other and enhance understandings and friendship between the two peoples, thus making contributions to the overall growth of bilateral ties.

He also reiterated Russia's firm adherence to the one-China policy.

Source: Xinhua