Chinese vice premier urges deeper strategic cooperation with Russia

China and Russia should deepen their strategic cooperation and join hands to build a harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity, Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang said here Saturday.

Speaking before around 1,000 teachers and students at Moscow State University, he said peace, development and cooperation are the mainstream of the times as the world undergoes major adjustments and developments.

China-Russia relations are at an all-time high with each considering the other's development as an opportunity, Li said, adding that the two neighbors share extensive common interests.

Pushing forward bilateral strategic cooperation and promoting the construction of a harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity are the shared historical responsibility of the two countries, Li said.

The two countries, he said, should enhance their comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination by boosting practical and big-project cooperation from a long-term and holistic perspective.

Meanwhile, he urged both sides to further cooperate in such fields as technological innovation and emerging industries in order to elevate the two countries' core competitiveness.

Li also called on both sides to strengthen their cooperation in global affairs and safeguard the principles of the United Nations Charter and the basic norms of international relations.

Speaking highly of Moscow State University, he said the renowned institution has trained a large number of talented people and made great contributions to the China-Russia friendship.

Li also announced China's plan to invite 300 students from Moscow State University to visit China this summer, saying that youths are building a bridge of friendship that links China and Russia.

The rector of Moscow State University, Viktor Sadovnichiy, welcomed Li's visit, saying that his appearance was an important milestone in the school's history.

After the address, Li visited the university's library.

Li arrived in Moscow on Thursday for an official visit at the invitation of the Russian government.

Russia is the first leg of Li's current European trip, which will also take him to Hungary, Belgium and the European Union headquarters in Brussels.