Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in Moscow, capital of Russia, April 19, 2017. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)
China and Russia agreed to boost their strategic partnership of comprehensive coordination during the three-day visit of top Chinese legislator Zhang Dejiang to Moscow.
Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), has been in Russia since April 18. He met Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the two discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, particularly between the two legislatures.
Zhang hailed the growing bilateral ties under the leadership of Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, noting the partnership has broader room and greater potential for development than ever before.
A complex international situation has underlined the significance of China-Russia friendship, Zhang said.
The priorities of the two countries' legislative bodies are to safeguard and promote bilateral ties, he added.
Putin said that sound Russia-China relations have seen an increase in economic and trade cooperation, more progress in major projects, vigorous cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and cooperation at the local level.
Putin expressed confidence in the prospect of Russia-China ties, saying the two legislative bodies shall maintain close ties.
In separate meetings with Valentina Matviyenko and Vyacheslav Volodin, the top leaders of the upper and lower houses of the Russian parliament, Zhang said China and Russia should support each other on issues mutual concern and that serve their core interests.
Zhang encouraged law makers from both countries to use the Belt and Road Initiative and Eurasian Economic Union as opportunities to strengthen ties.
He also called on both sides to promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges and further coordinate in multinational organizations, such as the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum, to safeguard international justice.
For their parts, Matviyenko and Volodin said Russia and China have enjoyed a closer friendship thanks to the high-level ties between the countries' legislative bodies.
Zhang co-chaired with Matviyenko and Volodin a session of the legislative bodies, where he called on both sides to share experiences, promote trade and seek an overall growth in relations.
During his stay in Moscow, Zhang also met with representatives of the Russia-China Friendly Association and congratulated the association on its 60th anniversary.
The Chinese official laid a wreath at the Tomb of Unknown Soldiers at Red Square in downtown Moscow, visited the Lenin Mausoleum and the offices of the widely known media group Russia Today.
Russia is the last leg of Zhang's four-nation trip that began on April 12 and took him to Latvia, Lithuania and Belarus.
