Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with visiting Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, July 21, 2008. Hu said on Monday that the relationship with Russia has been China's diplomatic priority. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, July 21 (Xinhua) -- President Hu Jintao said on Monday that the relationship with Russia has been China's diplomatic priority.

    He made the comment while meeting with Russia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergei Lavrov.

    "We will work with Russia to deepen strategic coordination and upgrade the partnership to new heights," said Hu.

    Describing current Sino-Russian relations as stable and healthy, Hu mentioned his two meetings with Russian President Dmitri Medvedev and comprehensive cooperation and consultation in international affairs.

    Hu particularly expressed thanks for the support of Russia on the Taiwan, Tibetan and Olympics issues, as well as its assistance after the May 12 earthquake in Sichuan Province.

    "All these demonstrate the friendship between the two states and peoples," Hu said, calling the two countries good neighbors, friends and partners.

    Lavrov said China and Russia had enjoyed an advanced relationship as the two countries maintained consultations in international and regional issues.

    He said Russia hoped to promote security consultation and energy resource negotiation mechanisms with China, and to realize the good-neighborly treaty of friendship and cooperation.

    He said Russia would give a warm receiving to children from China's earthquake-hit zone who were recuperating in Russia.

Chinese Premier Wen meets Russian FM

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) meets with visiting Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov in Beijing, capital of China, July 21, 2008. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met here on Monday with visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and expressed the hope that the two nations would enrich their bilateral strategic partnership.

    Wen said China and Russia have reached new heights in political mutual trust, pragmatic cooperation and strategic cooperation.  Full story

China, Russia complete border survey, determination

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi (R) and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov shake hands after signing the additional protocol on the eastern part of the border between China and Russia, in Beijing, capital of China, July 21, 2008.  (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, July 21 (Xinhua) -- China and Russia signed an additional protocol on the eastern part of borders they share, which marked the completion of all the 4,300-km-long border survey and determination.

    The protocol, with a map affiliated, was signed here Monday by Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and visiting Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov.