MOSCOW, Sept. 26 -- China and Russia are expected to further promote bilateral ties and strengthen cooperation on international affairs, Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui has said.

Speaking prior to the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Zhang in a recent interview with Xinhua praised the increasingly "stable, mature and resilient" China-Russia ties, and noted new opportunities and challenges for their further development.

"The two sides should keep up with the times and blaze new trails. They should further strengthen strategic mutual trust and mutual support, deepen the integration of interests and promote people-to-people exchanges, so as to bring practical benefits to the improvement of the living standards of the two peoples," he said.

Zhang recalled that the two countries agreed to upgrade their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era in June and have recently laid out plans for pragmatic cooperation at the next stage.

He welcomed the fruitful results of the recent meetings between Chinese and Russian heads of government in Russia's St. Petersburg.

"Against the backdrop of slowing world economic growth, rising protectionism and unilateralism, China and Russia have sent their voices to the world, which have further enriched the connotation of the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era," Zhang said.

China and Russia pledge to continue close cooperation on international affairs, to jointly defend the international system with the United Nations at its core and based on international law, as well as to help build new international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind, Zhang said.

"The strategic cooperation between China and Russia has gone beyond the bilateral scope and is of great significance for maintaining regional and world peace and stability," Zhang said.

Speaking of the visit of Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China, Zhang said the exchanges between the two parliaments are an important part of the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era.

The NPC of China has maintained close and regular contacts with the Russian Federation Council and State Duma, Zhang said.

In accordance with the development of bilateral relations, the two sides have continuously increased mutual political support, intensified cooperation in legislation and supervision, enhanced mutual understanding between the two peoples, as well as conducted joint work within the framework of multilateral parliaments, he added.

In this context, Li's visit to Russia is expected to provide a broader space for bilateral parliamentary cooperation, as well as a new impetus for the healthy and harmonious development of bilateral relations, Zhang said.

The two sides should take this opportunity to further create new forms of cooperation and enrich its content, so as to make greater contributions to the development of bilateral relations, he said.