Chinese, Russian officials meet on strategic cooperation

（Xinhua）  08:04, April 26, 2013  

BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng said here on Thursday that China is ready to advance its relations with Russia in a comprehensive way.

Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the remark when meeting with Nikolai Levichev, leader of the Russia of Justice party and deputy chairman of the State Duma.

Yu thanked Russia for offering condolences and support to China after a strong earthquake jolted Lushan county,Sichuan Province.

He noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Russia shortly after assuming office in March. According to Yu, Xi and the Russian side reached fresh consensus on a series of major issues during the visit.

"The China-Russia partnership of comprehensive strategic cooperation is at a new historic starting point," the top political advisor said.

Yu, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said exchanges between political parties and parliaments constitute an important part of China-Russia relations. He said that the Chinese side is ready to further deepen friendly cooperation with the Russia of Justice party and the State Duma so as to make new contributions to the comprehensive and in-depth development of bilateral links.

Levichev spoke highly of the significance of President Xi's visit to Russia. He stressed that the Russia of Justice party firmly supports strategic cooperation between the two countries and will make its own efforts in this aspect.

CPPCC National Committee Vice Chairman Wang Jiarui was present during the meeting.