>>>Related Special: Year of China in Russia, 2007

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) shakes hands with President of Republic of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiyev (R) in Kazan, capital of Russian republic of Tatarstan on March 28, 2007.(Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng) 

 
Chinese President Hu Jintao (3rd R, front) visits an economy exhibition of Tatarstan, in Kazan, capital of Russian republic of Tatarstan on March 28, 2007. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

China and Russia will further enhance their cooperation at the regional level, a promising and important part of the strategic cooperation between the two countries, visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao said on Wednesday.

"Recent years have witnessed a good momentum for the development of the Sino-Russian relationship, which has reached an unprecedented level," President Hu said in meeting with Mintimer Shaimiyev, president of Russia's Tatarstan republic.

Regional cooperation is an important part of the strategic cooperation that the two countries are engaged in, Hu said.

Regional cooperation and exchanges between China and Russia have seen remarkable growth in recent years, and still greater opportunities lie ahead, he said.

"President Putin and I have agreed to give priority to the enhancement of regional cooperation between the two countries," Hu added.

China values cooperation with Tatarstan, and will continue to encourage Chinese companies to carry out mutually beneficial cooperation with their counterparts in the Russian republic in infrastructure, scientific research, and in the manufacturing, processing and petrochemical industries, the Chinese president said. 
 

Chinese President Hu Jintao (3rd R, front) visits Kazan University, in Kazan, capital of Russian republic of Tatarstan on March 28, 2007. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)
 
Hu also called for strengthening cooperation between China and Tatarstan in education, culture and tourism.

Shaimiyev said the development of the Russia-China strategic partnership has brought benefits to the peoples of the two countries.

Shaimiyev pledged efforts to promote cooperative ties with some of China's regions and said the two sides could carry out cooperation in the petrochemical industry, machinery manufacturing and scientific research.

The Chinese president arrived in Kazan, capital of the Tatarstan republic, on Tuesday after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Hu had visited Kazan State University --one of the oldest university in Russia, and the Kazan Helicopter Plant earlier on Wednesday.

Editor: Yan