BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhuanet) -- Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing announced here Saturday Chinese and Russian presidents will hold asummit in Beijing in the latter half of this year.

    Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and Premier Wen Jiabao will also pay official visits to Russia this year, Li told a press conference on the sidelines of the annual session of the national legislature.

    China's Premier Wen Jiabao has sent a message to congratulate Mikhail Fradkov on his nomination as Russia's new prime minister.

    During a meeting of the two presidents, the year 2004 was made the Year of Friendship between Young Peoples of Two Countries, Li said, adding that it will breathe new vitality into Sino-Russian relations.

    The minister said it is a correct choice for the two nations todevelop good relations from generation to generation and never become enemies to each other. He spoke highly of China's strategicpartnership of cooperation with Russia.

    China and Russia are the largest neighbors in the world and share a 4,300 kilometer-long border. Over the past few years, the two countries have signed a series of agreements to strengthen thefriendly relations. Enditem