Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is to pay his first visit to China on Friday, in a move analysts say will push forward the China-Russia strategic partnership and map out a blueprint for bilateral ties in future.
As China is to be the first non-Commonwealth of Independent States member country of Medvedev's first tour abroad since he was sworn in on May 7, the visit marked the importance attached by the two countries to their strategic partnership of cooperation, said Ma Zhengang, director of the China Institute of International Studies.
"The visit shows the valued, special, strategic meaning and stability of the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation," Ma said.
FRUITFUL BILATERAL RELATIONS
During the presidency of Vladimir Putin, Medvedev's predecessor, Chinese-Russian relations were promoted to a "historic high".
Chinese President Hu Jintao and Putin met five times last year and laid out the blueprint for the development of the strategic partnership of cooperation in its second decade.
The two countries have done much to enhance the material and social foundations of bilateral ties, enabling them to develop steadily and deeply within a mature political framework, Ma said.
In the economic sphere, bilateral trade volume surged from 10.67 billion U.S. dollars in 2000 to 48.17 billion dollars last year.
The fast-growing trade fulfilled the need of speedy economic growth of both countries, which shows that economic cooperation between the two countries is becoming increasingly substantial and bringing benefits to both peoples, Ma said.
As a key part of the Sino-Russian strategic relations, the two states hosted theme years to boost social exchanges: the Year of Russia in China in 2006 and the Year of China in Russia in 2007.
Medvedev, then first deputy prime minister and Russia's chairman of the theme years' organizing committee, said such activities were pioneer projects and had yielded remarkable achievements.
FURTHER CONCRETE COOPERATION
The China-Russia strategic partnership of cooperation entered its second decade in 2007. This year marks the end of the first phase of the Sino-Russian Good-Neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation.
Medvedev's visit at such a time would enable the two state leaders to make strategic plans for future development and hold in-depth discussion on further cooperation, analysts said.
Meanwhile, China and Russia, with rising economies, have focused on conducting wide cooperation under globalization.
"New booming economies play increasing roles in promoting the world economy, under which China and Russia would consider fresh cooperation," said Jiang Yi, expert with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
As both are permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and Russia have played important roles in seeking solutions to the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula and Iran's nuclear program.
They are both mediators in the six-party talks on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula and international talks concerning Iran.
Both members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, China and Russia have actively cooperated in maintaining regional peace and security, fighting the "three evil forces" of terrorism, extremism and separatism, cracking down on drugs and arms trafficking and boosting regional economic cooperation.
Russian Ambassador to China Sergey Razov said the two sides would sign series of documents, including one expressing both views on major international and regional issues.
"China and Russia, facing the changing international situation, share the willingness of expressing common views and playing constructive roles in international and regional issues," Jiang said.
ASSISTANCE SHOWCASE FRIENDSHIP
Hearing of the May 12 earthquake in southwest China that claimed more than 51,000 lives, Medvedev sent a letter of condolence the same day to President Hu, followed by four batches of aid materials and rescue teams.
Russia's fast reaction and generous assistance showed not only its care and humanitarian spirit, but also reflected the understanding and friendship between the Russian and Chinese peoples, Jiang said.
The Russian government has promised to send a "high-level" delegation to the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games in August.
The Russian delegation, composed of about 470 members, will be one of the largest delegations to the Games, said Razov.
Analysts called for more efforts from the two nations to cement the material and social foundations of bilateral ties, such as optimizing trade structure, regulating trade orders, two-way investment and expanding new cooperation projects.
Source: Xinhua
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