国内英语新闻:Chinese, Russian leaders agree to enhance bilateral strategic ties

Last year the "Year of the Russian Language" activities were held successfully in China and this year the "Year of the Chinese Language" activities have started in Russia, Hu went on to say.

These events will push forward people-to-people exchanges and cultural cooperation between the two countries and consolidate the traditional friendship between the two peoples, he said.

President Hu stressed that as strategic cooperative partners, China and Russia share extensive interests on many major issues.

Under the current circumstances, he added, the two countries should work together, support each other and deepen their all-round strategic cooperation to better safeguard their common interests and world peace and promote common development.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) meets with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in Moscow, May 8, 2010.

The two countries should continue strengthening their cooperation in the field of energy and lift their practical cooperation to a new height, he noted.

China stands ready to bolster anti-terrorism communication and cooperation with Russia and make joint efforts in combating the "Three Forces" (terrorism, extremism and separatism) and in maintaining regional peace and stability, Hu said.

Extending his warm welcome, Putin said Hu's very presence at the ceremonies demonstrates the high level strategic partnership between the two nations, which fought shoulder to shoulder during World War II and contributed greatly to the defeat of Nazi Germany and Japanese militarism.