China's top legislator starts official visit to Russia

China's top legislator Wu Bangguo arrived here Friday afternoon to start his official and goodwill visit to Russia.

Wu, Chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), said in a written speech upon his arrival that China and Russia have carried forward friendly tradition and composed a new chapter of neighborly friendship under new circumstances.

Mutual political trust has been strengthened, cooperation in various fields has been expanded and strategic coordination improved. All these have brought benefits to the two peoples and made great contributions to the maintaining of world peace and stability, Wu said.

During his 4-day visit in Russia, the Chinese top legislator will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov, Federation Council Chairman Sergei Mironov and State Duma Chairman Boris Gryzlov to exchange views with them on bilateral relations and international issues of common concerns.

Wu will also attend the first meeting of the cooperation committee between the NPC and the State Duma, and the meeting among parliament leaders of the 6-member Shanghai Cooperation Organization to be held in Moscow.

He expressed his belief in his written speech that his visit would further enhance mutual political trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and strengthen neighborly friendship.

Wu is here at the co-invitation by the Russian Federation Council Chairman and the Russian State Duma Chairman after winding up his visit to Greece.

Source: Xinhua