Wu Bangguo (R), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, shakes hands with chairman of Russia's Federation Council Sergei Mironov during their meeting in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Sept. 18, 2006. The Chinese and Russian top legislatures held a round table in Harbin on Monday.(Xinhua Photo)

    HARBIN, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Wu Bangguo said on Monday that China will continue to promote a strategic cooperation partnership with Russia as bilateral relations are "at an unprecedented level".

    In a meeting with Chairman of Russian Federation Council Sergei Mironov, Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), highlighted increasing political trust and close strategic cooperation between the two countries, saying "the trade cooperation on big projects have entered a pragmatic stage."

    Mironov is in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, to attend a roundtable jointly organized by the top legislative bodies of China and Russia.

    The roundtable discussion is one of the nation-level programs of the "Year of Russia", which has staged more than 130 activities in China. The Year of China will take place in Russia in 2007.

    Wu said cooperation between the legislatures has contributed to nation-to-nation relations, increased understanding between the peoples and boosted cooperation in various fields.

    "The NPC will work with the Russian Federation Council to improve the regular communication mechanism and push forward the China-Russia strategic cooperation partnership,"Wu added.

    Mironov said the Russian legislature and government will provide support and help for the "Year of China" programs to cement the cultural foundation of Russia-China friendship and lift bilateral relations to a new height. Enditem