国内英语新闻:China Focus: Premier Li's Russia visit to boost bilateral ties

BEIJING, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's upcoming visit to Russia will open up broader space for pragmatic cooperation between the two countries in the new era and boost bilateral ties, a Chinese Foreign Ministry official said Monday.

At the invitation of Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Li will pay an official visit to Russia from Sept. 16 to 18 and co-chair the 24th regular meeting between Chinese and Russian heads of government with Medvedev, Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng said at a press briefing.

The visit comes as the two countries are embracing the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties and ushering in a new era in their relations.

Noting that the China-Russia relationship has become more mature, stable and tenacious over the past 70 years, Le said it is now a major-country relationship featuring the highest degree of mutual trust, coordination and strategic value.

"China and Russia enjoy solid political mutual trust and firmly support each other on issues concerning core interests and major concerns, while their all-round mutually beneficial cooperation has continued to expand and their interests have been more closely interconnected," Le said, adding that the bilateral trade volume exceeded 100 billion U.S. dollars for the first time last year.

According to Le, the two countries also have close and effective communication and coordination in international affairs.

The upcoming meeting between the two countries' heads of government will focus on two major objectives, Le said. The first is to promote the implementation of the major consensus reached by the two countries' heads of state, deepen the integration of interests and consolidate the material basis of bilateral relations.

The second is to contribute the two countries' wisdom to and voice their support for safeguarding multilateralism, open economy, and the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment, Le said.

During the visit, Li will hold talks with Medvedev in St. Petersburg and sign a joint communique of the 24th regular meeting between Chinese and Russian heads of government. Li will also meet with Putin in Moscow.