Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam, Nov. 18, 2006.(Xinhua Photo)

Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Monday pledged to further promote the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation.

Since the two countries forged the strategic partnership of cooperation 10 years ago, bilateral cooperation in various fields has been developing smoothly, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples, the presidents said in a joint statement.

The continued strengthening of Sino-Russian cooperation in an all-round way conforms to the supreme interests of the two countries and is also conducive to safeguarding peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large, said the statement.

The two sides are ready to work together to continuously deepen their practical cooperation, boost strategic coordination and raise the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation to a new height, it said.

With an eye on the future and vowing to consolidate the gains made in building their strategic partnership in the past 10 years,the two sides pledged unremitting efforts to promote mutual trust and enhance cooperation in politics.

They also agreed to deepen cooperation in the areas of economy, science and technology and security.

In accordance with the spirit and principles of the Sino-Russian Good-Neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, the two sides will boost mutual support on major issues concerning independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Russian side reaffirmed its firm support for the Chinese government's principled stand on the issues of Taiwan and Tibet, the statement said.

The two sides also agreed to further strengthen exchanges between the parliaments of the two countries and continue efforts to improve the legal foundation for bilateral cooperation.

Under the Supplementary Agreement on the Eastern Section of China-Russia Boundary Line signed on Oct. 14, 2004, demarcation of the boundary has been going on smoothly, it said, adding that demarcation work will be completed by the end of 2007.

The settlement of the border issue between the two countries will contribute to efforts to strengthen bilateral ties and boost cooperation in the border areas, in the spirit of building lasting peace and mutual accommodation and mutual benefit, the statement said.

As "the Year of Russia in China" last year helped further strengthen mutual political trust and deepen cooperation in such areas as politics, economy, trade and science and technology, the two sides decided to adopt all necessary measures to ensure that the ongoing "Year of China in Russia" is equally successful.

President Hu arrived in Moscow on Monday for a three-day state visit, during which he will meet other Russian leaders.

Editor: Donald