Chinese President Hu Jintao Friday suggested China and Russia further tighten political strategic coordination, and expand military exchanges and cooperation.

In his three-hour talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Hu also proposed to take an active part in the first China-Russia joint military excises and make full preparations for the Russia year scheduled in China in 2006 and the China year in Russia in 2007.

As for economic and trade sectors, Hu suggested both sides strengthen cooperation in the energy resources and fully implement the agreed accords; expand electricity cooperation and further strengthen investment cooperation; accelerate the pace of signing an investment protection agreement that would offer legal guarantee for bilateral investment cooperation.

He also proposed to improve the trade structures, expand cooperation channels and levels, expand trade of high-tech, machinery and electronic products, give bigger impetus to local cooperation between provinces and regions of the two nations, give full play to each other's strong points, and create good conditions in capital, natural resources, personnel and transportation, so as to foster new increasing points for China-Russia economic cooperation.

As the next year is the 10th anniversary of establishment of China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination, he said, both sides should continue their efforts to score more achievements to celebrate this important moment.

Voicing his agreement upon Hu's viewpoints, Putin said these suggestions have made clear the targets and orientations for the furtherance of the Russia-China relations.

He said Hu's ongoing visit is the most important event in bilateral ties this year and the thorough settlement of issues left over by history has laid down a solid foundation for the long-term and healthy growth of Russia-China ties, thus the visit is of special and far-reaching impact.

Putin gave positive comments on bilateral cooperation in the past year in the political, economic, trade, investment, financial, cultural, educational, scientific, technological, space, environmental and military sectors, and on bilateral coordination in international affairs.

He reiterated that Russia will continue to help bilateral friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation achieve new progress.

During the talks, the two presidents had an in-depth exchange of views on current major international and regional issues.

Hu stressed that as permanent member of the UN Security Council, both countries share extensive consensus and common interests, and important responsibility in safeguarding world peace and promoting common development.

Both sides should further improve their strategic cooperation and coordinate in time their stance and strengthen cooperation on major international and regional issues, Hu said.

Putin said he agreed upon Hu's viewpoints.

Both sides also spoke highly of the positive progress and important achievements in the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination.

The new China-Russia relationship is making important contributions to the establishment of a new international order, according to the joint statement on the 21st century international order that was signed between Hu and Putin after the talks.

With concerted efforts, the Chinese and Russian presidents agreed that the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination would achieve a higher level in the interests of the two peoples.

Besides Moscow, Hu will also visit Russia's third largest city of Novosibirsk, where he will discuss regional cooperation between the two nations.

Hu arrived here Thursday for a four-day state visit, before proceeding to visit Kazakhstan, the second leg of his ongoing three-nation tour, which will also take him to Britain where he will attend the G8 plus five summit.

Source: Xinhua