MOSCOW, May 13 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Wu Bangguo met with the chairman of Russia's Federation Council, the upper house of parliament, on Wednesday to exchange views on bilateral ties.

    Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), and Russian Federation Council Chairman Sergei Mironov also attended the third meeting of the cooperation committee between NPC and the Federation Council.

Sergei Mironov (R), chairman of the Russian Federation Council, shakes hands with Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China, in Moscow, capital of Russia, May 13, 2009. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) Photo Gallery>>>

    Mironov said Wu's visit to Russia was of great significance as this year marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Russia and China, adding that the visit would serve as a new momentum for boosting parliamentary cooperation and deepening the Russia-China strategic partnership of cooperation.

    Wu said China-Russia relations were at a historical high as the two sides established a mechanism of regular exchanges between top leaders, constantly strengthened political mutual trust and conducted cooperation in various fields.

    In the face of the complicated international situation and worsening global financial crisis, China is willing to enhance all-round strategic cooperation with Russia, consolidate cooperation results and broaden cooperation fields, so as to advance the China-Russia strategic partnership of cooperation, Wu said.

    Wu hailed the relations between the two parliaments and said priority should be given to strengthening mutual beneficial cooperation, jointly tackling the financial crisis and facilitating steady economic growth at home and the world economic recovery at large.

    Wu noted that cooperation should be strengthened in three areas. First the two sides should strengthen mutual support and deepen political mutual trust. They should support each other firmly on issues concerning sovereignty, territorial integrity, national security, stability and development. Second, they should boost pragmatic cooperation and mutual development, promote and approve important cooperation agreements signed between the two countries. Third the two should facilitate regional cooperation and inject new vigor into the cooperation.

    Mironov, in response, spoke highly of the Russia-China strategic partnership of cooperation and said the continued development of Russia-China relations conformed to the hope of the two peoples.

    The Federation Council fully supports the Russian government's efforts to develop friendly cooperation with China and stands ready to cooperate with NPC in approving cooperation deals already signed and take part in activities to mark the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties as well as the language theme years, so as to make a contribution to the further development of Russia-China strategic partnership of cooperation, Mironov said.

    Wu arrived in Moscow on Wednesday for an official goodwill visit. Russia is the first leg of Wu's three-nation European tour, which will also take him to Austria and Italy.