China held a grand reception here on Friday to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Russia as well as the founding of the China-Russia Friendship Association.

Addressing the occasion, China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin described China-Russia relations as in the best period of history, citing frequent high-level exchanges, unprecedented political trust and substantial cooperation in various areas.

"The China-Russia relationship has become one of the most energetic and influential bilateral ties around the world, which not only brought benefit to the two peoples but also contributed to world peace and development," said Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Chinese President Hu Jintao had fruitful talks with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev on Sept. 23 in New York, and both reached broad consensus on important topics including bilateral cooperation and other issues of common concern, he said.

Jia called on the two countries to promote the bilateral strategic partnership of cooperation from a strategic height and overall perspective, stick to the principles of the Sino-Russian Good-Neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, keep high-level contacts and exchanges among various levels, respect each other's core interests and enhance cooperation among local governments.

Russian ambassador to China Sergei Razov echoed that currently Russia-China relations are in their best period in history. Hailing the epoch-making significance of setting up bilateral diplomatic ties, he said Russia-China relations were based on common interests and enhanced trust and support.

"The increasing coordination between the two countries had made a great contribution to the formation of a new world situation," he added.

Some 280 delegates from both countries attended the reception including President Chen Haosu of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and President Mikhail Titarenko of the Moscow-based Russia-China Friendship Association.

(Xinhua News Agency September 26, 2009)