Chinese President Hu Jintao and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin exchanged here Wednesday views on major international and regional issues of common concern and reached important consensus.

Hu, who is on a state visit to Russia, said this year is of special significance in the development of China-Russia relations because it marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia.

The China-Russia relationship has maintained a momentum of rapid development since this year, as evidenced by the frequent exchange of high-level visits, Hu said.

In face of the global financial crisis, China and Russia have actively expanded pragmatic cooperation, launched a cooperation package in crude oil, and made a major breakthrough in energy cooperation, he said.

The Russian Language Year in China is now being held in an all-round way, writing a new chapter in the two countries' cultural cooperation, Hu said.

The two sides have carried out fruitful strategic cooperation on major international and regional issues and played a positive role in pushing for a fairer and more rational international order, he said.

China, Hu said, feels satisfied with the achievements made in bilateral relations.

Amid the complicated international situation, it is of great importance to adhere to the China-Russia strategic partnership of cooperation and strengthen China-Russia cooperation in various fields, he said.

China always considers the development of its relations with Russia as one of its diplomatic priorities regardless of the changing international situation, Hu said.

The two sides should vigorously boost bilateral pragmatic cooperation, enhance their capability to tackle the global economic downturn, keep steady economic development and further the mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, he said.

During the meeting, the Chinese president also outlined measures China has taken to deal with the financial crisis.

Hu and the Russian prime minister pledged to reinforce coordination on macro-economic policy, collaborate on the reform of the international financial system within the bilateral and multilateral framework, and give developing countries and emerging markets a bigger voice in addressing global issues.

Putin said Russia is committed to friendly relations with China and advancing the strategic partnership of cooperation despite the negative impacts of the global financial crisis on Russia and the dramatic changes in the international political and economic situation.

Russia is willing to cooperate with China, deepen pragmatic cooperation in all areas and push forward bilateral relations, Putin said.

He hailed Hu's call for joint efforts to overcome the current difficulties at the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and at the meeting of the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) leaders in Russia's Ural city of Yekaterinburg.

The two also exchanged views on such issues as climate change.

Hu arrived in Moscow on Tuesday night for a three-day state visit after attending the SCO summit and the meeting of BRIC leaders in Yekaterinburg in central Russia.

Source: Xinhua

http://paper.people.com.cn/rmrb/html/2009-06/18/content_277267.htm