Chinese Vice Presient Zeng Qinghong (R) shakes hands with Russian Presidential Chief of Staff Sergei Sobyanin during their meeting in Beijing, capital of China Sept. 27, 2006.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

    BEIJING, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong met here Wednesday with visiting Russian Presidential Chief of Staff Sergei Sobyanin.

    Zeng said the bilateral relations were at an all-time high since the two countries established a strategic partnership of coordination ten years ago.

    "The two countries have maintained frequent high-level visits and cooperation in trade and economy, energy resources, investment and high technology," he said.

    The two countries maintained close communication and coordination in major international and regional affairs, defending their common interests and setting a model for relations between major powers, Zeng said.

    He said the activities of "The Year of Russia in China" and "The Year of China in Russia" were important parts of the Sino-Russian good neighborly treaty of friendship and cooperation.

    The two sides had held about 150 programs, cementing the friendship between the peoples, he said.

    He said he hoped the two sides could maintain negotiations.

    Sobyanin said the strategic partnership of coordination conformed to the fundamental interests of the two countries and their peoples.

    The activities had enhanced bilateral relations and the two sides should deepen practical cooperation so as to benefit the people.

    Invited by the Chinese government, Sobyanin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for his first China visit. Enditem