Chinese, Russian presidents vow to lift bilateral ties to new level Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with his Russian counterpart Dmi...

Chinese, Russian presidents vow to lift bilateral ties to new level

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev in New Delhi, capital of India, March 28, 2012. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chinese President Hu Jintao (3rd R) meets with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev (2nd L) in New Delhi, capital of India, March 28, 2012. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

NEW DELHI, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Russian counterpart Dmitri Medvedev discussed bilateral ties and other issues of common concern here on Wednesday, agreeing to promote China-Russia relations to a new level.

During their meeting on the sidelines of the fourth BRICS Summit, which groups China, Brazile, India, Russia and South Africa, the two leaders agreed to make joint efforts to lift their all-round strategic cooperation partnership to a new level.

Hu said the two countries last year charted the course and set the goal for the development of the bilateral relationship in the next decade and developed a plan for cooperation in various fields.

The move had given fresh impetus to the development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, Hu said.

Hu expressed hope that, in the current complex and ever-changing international situation, China and Russia could take a more active stance to implement major consensus on bilateral cooperation, maintain close high-level contacts and bolster political support for each other.

Meanwhile, efforts should be made to secure the smooth operation of various cooperation mechanisms to further advance collaboration on major projects covering such fields as trade, the economy, energy, aerospace, high-technology and culture, Hu said.

He said the two sides should jointly ensure the success of the Year of Tourism in each country and expand exchanges between their young people.

Medvedev said frequent high-level contacts and prompt exchange of views on bilateral ties and other major issues were of high importance in ensuring bilateral relations stayed on the right track.

He said Russia was ready to maintain regular exchanges of high-level visits and close communication.

Last year, two-way trade between the two countries hit a record high, he said, adding that energy cooperation on major oil and nuclear energy projects progressed smoothly.

Medvedev said Moscow was confident of meeting the goal of achieving 100 billion U.S. dollars in bilateral trade per year by 2015 and 200 billion dollars by 2020.

On the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organziation (SCO) summit, to be held in China this summer, Hu said China placed great importance on the meeting, which would be the first gathering since the organization entered its second decade.

Hu said China was ready to work with Russia to yield more results at the summit on charting the course for future development and advancing the pragmatic cooperation among the SCO members.

Medvedev said he believed the summit would be a success and further promote the rapid and sound development of the organization.

The two presidents also exchanged views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Hu said China and Russia shared a common stance on maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula.

He said the present situation on the peninsula was particularly complex and sensitive.

China was ready to continue cooperating with Russia and urged all the relevant parties to remain calm and exercise restraint, Hu said, calling for improved relations through dialogue and contacts to safeguard peace and stability on the peninsula.

Medevdev said Russia shared China's view on the situation on the Korean Peninsula, pledging to continue to maintain close communication and coordination with China on the issue.

On the Syrian crisis, Hu said both China and Russia shared the stance that the international community should respect Syria's sovereignty, independence, unity, territorial integrity and its people's choice.

He said China supported the mediation efforts of U.N. special envoy Kofi Annan and was ready to work with Russia and the international community to play a constructive role in properly resolving the Syrian crisis.

Medevdev said Russia was ready to work with China to push for an immediate end to violence, prevent the intense situation from escalating and urged the Syrian government and all other parties to resolve the issue peacefully.

The two presidents agreed to make join efforts to yield desirable results at the BRICS summit.

They also pledged to strengthen pragmatic cooperation and coordination on international affairs among the members and send a signal of unity, confidence and win-win cooperation to the outside world.