Direct link boosts Sino-Russian ties

An unprecedented communication mechanism set up between China and Russia two years ago has functioned well in boosting bilateral ties, senior officials from both countries agreed on Thursday.

Li Zhanshu, director of the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that since the office established the direct discussion mechanism with the Russian Presidential Administration, the two nations had made many efforts to promote friendship.

Li was commenting while meeting with visiting Russian Presidential Administration Chief Sergei Ivanov, who is also the country's former defense minister.