国内英语新闻:China, Russia look to "new era" of strategic relations

The Medvedev-Hu meeting in Beijing was their fifth meeting this year, a rare frequency of meeting for two heads of state. Medvedev also met with top legislator Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao on Monday.

Hu and Medvedev also signed a joint statement to comprehensively deepen their strategic partnership of coordination, a description of bilateral ties decided upon in 1996.

"The highly frequent contact between the two heads of state complies with the interests of the two peoples and will help boost bilateral ties. The weighty agreements just showcase the closer cooperation," said Medvedev in talks with Hu.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev attend a completion ceremony of the China-Russia oil pipeline in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 27, 2010.(

Hu told reporters after their talks the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination "stands at a new starting point" as he called for a "new era" of bilateral ties.

While the energy deals are the spotlight of the world's attention during Medvedev's China visit, analysts said the deals are just one part of bilateral trade ties.

"Even though energy cooperation is an important part of China-Russia trade, it is, of course, not enough to constitute all of the two nations' trade," said Jiang Yi, a Russia expert with Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, adding that the two countries enjoy cooperation potential in areas like investment, high-tech, agriculture and finance.