Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks during a press conference in Beijing May 16. (Xinhua Photo)

    BEIJING, May 16 (Xinhua) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Viktorovich Lavrov said Tuesday that Russia-China ties have reached an unprecedented high.

    "Russia-China cooperation has reached an unprecedented level and the two countries are competent to address all issues between them," Lavrov told a press conference Tuesday afternoon.

    The meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Hu Jintao in March upgraded the bilateral ties to a new level, Lavrov said, adding that a series of meetings willfurther spur the Russia-China cooperation in energy, machinery, high tech and transportation.

    Moreover, he called for the stronger energy cooperation among the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a six-member regional cooperation organization.

    "A major task of SCO is to step up the economic and trade cooperation in the region," Lavrov acknowledged.

    SCO still gives priority to tackling new challenges and threatsand cracking down on three forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism, he said.

    Lavrov held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing Tuesday morning after he attended the SCO foreign ministers' meeting in Shanghai Monday.

    The two foreign ministers signed several agreements and discussed issues concerning the border demarcation, environmentalprotection, cooperation at time of emergency and other issues of common concern.

    They also had a wide-ranging exchange of views on internationalaffairs, including the Iranian nuclear issue and Korean nuclear standoff, pledging to keep up close contact and cooperation on international issues. Enditem