Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov met Cao Gangchuan, vice-chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission, State Council member and Defense Minister, on September 7 in Moscow, reports the People Daily on September 8.

First of all, Cao Gangchuan conveyed Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's cordial greetings and good wishes to the Russian Prime Minister. He said that at present time, the relations between the two countries are at a historical high. Our two countries have established strategic partnership and signed the Sino Russian Good Neighbor Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation. This treaty has laid a political and lawful foundation for developing long-term, stable and friendly cooperative ties between China and Russia.

Cao Gangchuan said the first Sino-Russian joint military exercises, held successfully not long ago, has enhanced the friendship between the two armed forces and boosted the development of the Sino-Russian strategic partnership. The exercises also signified the importance of safeguarding peace and security of the region and of the world as a whole and cracking down on the "three forces'' of terrorism, separatism and extremism.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov welcomed Cao Gangchuan's visit to Russia and pointed out that the visit is a big event in the relations between the two countries and the two armed forces. The visit will invigorate further development of ties between the two armed forces and make new contributions to the development of Russia-China relations.

He said so far, the friendly cooperations in the areas, including politics, economy, culture and military affairs, are in deepening development. The Russian side is satisfied with the progress and is willing to make joint and unremitting efforts with the Chinese side to push the relationship between our two nations to a newer high. He added that Russia would like to strengthen cooperation with China in international affairs in order to maintain peace and security in the region and the world. Fradkov reiterated that the Russian government will consistently stand by the one-China principle and support China's reunification.

By People's Daily Online