China to prioritize strategic ties with Russia

The new Chinese leadership will prioritize the development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and China, a senior Chinese leader said on Monday.

Further promoting Sino-Russian relations has strategic and long-term significance, and China is willing to deepen pragmatic cooperation with Russia in all sectors, said China's top legislator Wu Bangguo.

Wu Bangguo speaks at the 21st Annual Meeting of Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum in the city of Vladivostok, Russia, Jan 28. [Photo/Xinhua]

He made the remarks while meeting his Russian counterpart Valentina Matviyenko, chairwoman of Russia's Federation Council, on the sidelines of the ongoing 21st Annual Meeting of Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum in the city of Vladivostok.

Matviyenko said Russia is devoted to developing the Far East region and China is welcome to join.

She said Russia would like to provide a sound investment environment for Chinese entrepreneurs, and proposed more cooperation in infrastructure, energy and resources, as well as high technology.

Matviyenko added that the comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and China is conducive to a peaceful, stable and prosperous Asia-Pacific region.

Both legislators agreed to strengthen communication and cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries.

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, arrived in Vladivostok on Sunday afternoon for the parliamentary forum meeting. This is the first time a Chinese top legislator has gone abroad to attend the forum since it started in 1993.

About 360 parliamentarians from 25 countries in the region, such as Russia, Japan and the Republic of Korea, as well as representatives from seven international organizations are attending the meeting. A joint declaration is expected when the meeting ends on Thursday.