Li recalled his trip to Russia last year and welcomed Seleznev's visit to China.

He said he was pleased to extensively exchange views with Seleznev on relations between the NPC and the State Duma, as well as other issues of common concern.

With the deepening of the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation, the two countries have rapidly taken their friendship to a higher level, Li said.

Particularly this year, Li said, the two sides have kept up an active momentum in the development of their relations and found more common ground in bilateral and international issues.

During his visit to Russia in July, Chinese President Jiang Zemin signed the Sino-Russian good-neighbourly treaty of friendship and cooperation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The treaty reiterates the friendship between the Chinese and Russian peoples generation after generation, Li said.

The NPC Standing Committee recently endorsed the treaty, he said, adding that he hoped that the State Duma would approve the treaty as soon as possible.

Li expressed his gratitude to Seleznev for the Russian people's support for Beijing's bid to host the 2008 Summer Olympics.

He said that he highly valued the fact that the State Duma led by Seleznev always sticks to the one-China policy and has made great contributions to bilateral friendship.

With joint efforts, the two countries will surely make new achievements in promoting their relations in the new century, Li said.

In recent years, he said, the State Duma has increased its exchanges and cooperation with the NPC, which greatly boosts Sino-Russian relations.

The NPC hopes to boost exchanges and cooperation with its Russian counterpart to enhance their mutual understanding and trust, Li said.

Li also briefed the visitor on the legislative work done by the NPC and its Standing Committee.

Seleznev said that the friendly relationship between Russia and China has been strengthened, symbolized by the meetings between Jiang and Putin in 2001 as well as the further cooperation between the two countries within the framework of the Shanghai cooperation Organization (SCO).

He said that the state leaders of the SCO members are scheduled to hold talks in June in Russia, and President Putin will pay a visit to China.

Seleznev also expressed his congratulations on China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO). He then said he hoped that Russia would learn from China in this regard.

He also said he hoped that the State Duma would increase its cooperation with the NPC.

(Xinhua News Agency December 11. 2001)