Xi urges China, Russia to translate political ties advantage to more pragmatic cooperation outcomes

BEIJING, May 5, 2016 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Sergei Naryshkin, head of the State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, in Beijing, capital of China, May 5, 2016. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

BEIJING, May 5 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday said the central task in China-Russia ties is to translate the high-level political relationship into more pragmatic cooperation and coordination in international affairs.

Xi told Sergei Naryshkin, head of the State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin fully agreed on this need.

The high-level development of the China-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Coordination not only meets the needs of the two countries but also is in line with the global trend of peace, development and win-win cooperation, according to Xi.

He called on the two sides to lay a more solid social and public opinion foundation for the long-term healthy and stable growth of China-Russia relations.

The president urged the legislative bodies of the two countries to enhance exchanges and mutual learning so as to enrich China-Russia ties.

The Russia-China relationship is an important factor in maintaining world peace and stability, Naryshkin said, stressing the State Duma is willing to deepen cooperation with China's National People's Congress to contribute more to Russia-China ties.

At the invitation of top Chinese legislator Zhang Dejiang, Naryshkin is visiting China from Wednesday to Friday.