Putin's China Visit Successful, FM SpokesmanVladimir Putin's first visit to China as Russian president was a success, and is certain to push forward the overall growth of Sino-Russian relations in the new century, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao said.He made the remarks Thursday at the regular press conference in response to a relevant question. During his visit, Zhu said, Chinese President Jiang Zemin held talks with him, and Premier Zhu Rongji, Chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee Li Peng, and Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee Li Ruihuan met with him on separate occasions. Leaders of the two countries exchanged views on wide-ranging bilateral and international issues of common concern, covering areas of politics, trade, economy, science, technology, culture, education, cross-regional cooperation and the anti-ballistic missile issue, Zhu said. A concrete result of the visit was the signing by the two sides of the Beijing Declaration and a joint statement on the anti- ballistic missile issue, Zhu said. He noted that the two neighbors also signed a series of other documents on bilateral cooperation. The two sides agreed to start preparations for the signing of an agreement on Sino-Russian good-neighborly friendship and cooperation, which stands as another important achievement of Putin's visit to China, said the spokesman. |
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