The Chinese government will firmly adhere to the policy of developing a strategic partnership of cooperation with Russia, said visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping here on Wednesday.

Meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday, Xi said China is ready to continuously enhance mutual political trust and advance pragmatic cooperation with Russia, safeguard the collective interest of both countries, and help promote world peace and stability.

Last year witnessed the celebration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Russia, as well as the hosting of the "Year of Russian language" in China, which brought about new breakthroughs in the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation, Xi noted.

Despite some impact on bilateral trade by the global economic crisis, the quality of bilateral economic cooperation has improved, with trade structure optimized and significant progress achieved in energy sector cooperation, he added.

"The close interaction and coordination in international and regional affairs between the two countries, the proper handling of common challenges in the complex international situation, and the efficient collaboration on major global and regional issues have safeguarded our collective interest and played an important role in promoting world peace and development," said Xi.

After 60 years of development, the relationship between China and Russia now stands at a new historical starting point, said the Chinese leader.

This year the two countries will have frequent high-level exchanges, with their leaders holding a series of bilateral and multilateral talks on several important occasions, he said.

He expressed belief that such frequent interactions will definitely help further enhance mutual political trust and consolidate the strategic partnership of cooperation.

Medvedev, for his part, thanked his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao for inviting some 1,000 Russian youngsters to Chinese summer camps this year.

Russia was satisfied with the current development of the Russia- China strategic partnership of cooperation, said Medvedev, who also spoke highly of Xi's visit to the frontier regions of Russia and presence at the opening ceremony of the "Year of Chinese Language" in Russia.

Xi's visit has demonstrated China's political will to strengthen regional cooperation and cultural exchange with Russia, and will sure help promote the development of bilateral relations, said the Russian leader.

Russia hopes to expand cooperation with China under new circumstances, and the two countries should enhance coordination in global and regional affairs, jointly promoting diplomatic solutions to hotspot issues, said Medvedev.

Xi, who arrived in Belarus later on Wednesday, is on a 12-day, four-nation tour that will also take him to Finland and Sweden.

(Xinhua News Agency March 25, 2010)