China and Russia's legislatures should step up their cooperation as it plays an important role in promoting the two sides' strategic partnership, said President Hu Jintao during his meeting with Russian parliamentary leaders in Moscow on Tuesday.

 

During his meeting with Boris Gryzlov, speaker of the lower house of Russia's parliament, the State Duma, Hu proposed that relevant committees of the two sides' parliaments should give more constructive advice on developing the Sino-Russia relations and promoting bilateral cooperation in various areas.

 

The Sino-Russian strategic partnership has entered the second decade since its establishment, which will be an important period for the two nations' development and prosperity, Hu said, adding that China is willing to upgrade its relations with Russia to a higher level.

 

Gryzlov noted that events of reciprocal theme years have demonstrated the high level of the two nations' strategic partnership.

 

The Russian speaker also said that the State Duma will work to strengthen its cooperation with China's National People's Congress, sharing each other's experience of social and economic development, so as to provide legal support and safeguard for bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

 

President Hu arrived in Moscow on Monday for a three-day state visit to Russia and held talks with Putin. Both leaders attended the opening ceremony of the "Year of China in Russia" later in the day.

 

Hu and Putin signed a joint statement on further developing the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation on Monday.

 

(Xinhua News Agency March 28, 2007)