Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Moscow on Monday for a state visit aimed at strengthening the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation.

In a written statement issued upon his arrival at the airport, Hu said that the year 2006 saw "important progress made in the development of Sino-Russian relations."

The principles set forth in the Sino-Russian Good-Neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation have been further implemented. And taking advantage of the "Year of Russia in China" last year, the two countries strived to promote the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation.

Hu said that the bilateral ties have developed rapidly with enhanced mutual political trust, fruitful pragmatic cooperation, active cultural and educational exchanges and the strengthening of strategic coordination in dealing with international affairs.

"The all-round and rapid development of the Sino-Russian relations has brought the peoples of the two countries substantial interests," he noted.

The Chinese president said that China is ready to continue to work with Russia in further implementing the Sino-Russian Good-Neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, promote mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries and the two peoples, expand pragmatic cooperation, so as to push forward the development of the Sino-Russian strategic partnership for cooperation and make new contributions toward safeguarding world peace and promoting mutual development.

"During my visit, I would meet President (Vladimir) Putin for in-depth discussions on bilateral ties and important world and regional issues," Hu said.

"I believe that the current visit would deepen Sino-Russian relations and give new impetus to the expansion of pragmatic cooperation between the two countries," said the president.

On Monday evening, Hu and Putin will attend the opening ceremony for the "Year of China in Russia", a move designed to deepen friendship, enhance cooperation and promote the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation.

The two leaders on Tuesday will attend the opening ceremony for a Chinese national exhibition, the biggest comprehensive show China has ever held outside the country in almost three decades.

China and Russia agreed to host the "Year of Russia in China" in 2006 and the "Year of China in Russia" in 2007 during Hu's visit to Russia in July 2005.

The "Year of Russia in China" involved some 300 events and drew the participation of more than 500,000 Chinese.

The "Year of China in Russia" is expected to feature some 200 events, including a Chinese national exhibition, a cultural festival, a business forum and an investment conference.

President Hu will also visit Kazan, capital of Russian republic of Tatarstan, and meet local officials.

Source: Xinhua