Chinese President Hu Jintao on Wednesday met with visiting Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, hailing fresh development of bilateral relationship and vowing closer collaboration.

"Russia is one of the top agenda on China's diplomacy as we pay much attention to relations with Russia," Hu told Putin in their half an hour meeting in Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.

Hu said this year was significant for China-Russia relations as both countries celebrated their 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties.

Russia was the first country to establish diplomatic relations with China, days after the People's Republic of China was founded on October 1, 1949.

As an important milestone in deepening relations, both countries established strategic partnership of coordination in 1996.

Hu said this partnership had reaped substantive benefits to both peoples and worked for the world peace, stability and prosperity.

He underscored the mutual support both countries offered to each other on issues concerning their core interest and close coordination and cooperation on international and regional affairs.

"China would like to work more closely with Russia to enhance political trust and strategic coordination," Hu said.

Chinese President particularly called for both countries to boost cooperation in energy, high-tech and culture.

"Let's work together to take strategic partnership of coordination to a higher level," Hu said.

Putin said his China visit was very successful, marking "an important step forward" in bilateral cooperation.

He said close exchanges between leaders of both nations contributed a lot to bilateral relations, which witnessed rapid progress in trade, energy and culture.

Putin said the "Year of Russian Language" went on well in China and looked forward to the "Year of Chinese language" in Russia next year.

During the "Year of Russian Language" in China, the two nations held more than 200 cultural exchange activities in about 20 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in China.

Putin said he was satisfied with Russia's ties with China and would like to advance the relations.

On Tuesday, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao hosted a red-carpet welcome ceremony for Putin, who is on his first official visit to China since taking office in May 2008. They held closed-door talks and witnessed the signing of 12 agreements, including the agreements on natural gas and oil.

(Xinhua News Agency October 14, 2009)