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Chinese NPC Chairman Meets Russian President
Li Peng, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said that the contacts between parliaments of China and Russia have become an important component of the friendly cooperation between the two countries.
Li made the remarks Tuesday in a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Great Hall of the People.
Putin's first visit to China as the Russian president is of vital importance, Li said, adding that the trip is certain to advance Sino-Russian relations in the new century.
Li pointed out that it is the common aspiration of the two peoples to maintain good-neighborly friendship and cooperation of mutual benefit between China and Russia, two friendly neighbors.
He said that the bilateral ties have been progressing well in recent years, a situation which is demonstrated by the establishment and development of the strategic partnership of cooperation characterized by equality and trust. Such ties conform to the fundamental interests of the two countries and their peoples, and are also conducive to world peace and stability, he said.
China and Russia share common interests and the same stance on a range of international issues, said Li, adding that the two countries have conducted fruitful cooperation in a number of matters during the past years.
Li stressed the NPC has always attached great importance to exchanges and cooperation with the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.
Frequent visits by leaders of the two parliaments and their special committees in recent years as well as the extensive exchanges in legislation, parliamentary cooperation, bilateral ties, and international issues of common concern during these visits have enhanced mutual understanding and trust, he added.
Parliaments of the two nations, he said, have both set up special teams dedicated to Sino-Russian friendship, which are composed of influential members.
Li also said he will pay a goodwill visit to Russia this year at the invitation of Chairman of the Federation Council Yegor Semeonovich Stroyev and Chairman of the State Duma Gennady Seleznev. He added that he is confident his upcoming visit will help promote understanding and friendship between the two parliaments and the two peoples.
Putin said he was happy to meet Li. He said his China visit has been a success, allowing Russia and China to hold constructive talks and achieving concrete results.
The two sides have not only reached agreement on all key issues, but also formulated plans for the future development of Sino- Russian relations, Putin said, adding that Russia is pleased to see that bilateral ties have recorded new progress.
Putin noted Sino-Russian ties have seen development in all departments and at all levels, and legislative bodies of the two countries are playing an increasingly important role in strengthening bilateral relations.
Russia's State Duma has set up a special committee for Russia- China friendship, and has made ceaseless efforts to promote the overall development of relations between the two countries, he said.
Putin said that he is confident that with the joint efforts of Russia and China, the friendly relations will see more concrete results and will surely report greater progress.
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