Chinese President Hu Jintao and visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Tuesday afternoon.
In the opening address, Hu said this year marks the tenth anniversary of the strategic partnership between the two countries and the fifth anniversary of the Sino-Russian treaty of friendly neighborhood and cooperation.
"The fact that President Putin is heading such a large delegation to China and will attend the opening ceremony of the Year of Russia in China demonstrates that he highly values Sino-Russian relations," Hu said.
"I believe this visit and the hosting of the theme year in each other's country will enhance the mutual understanding between the two peoples and advance the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination," Hu said.
Echoing Hu's remarks, Putin said the start of the Year of Russia in China, which is unprecedented in scale and involves activities in various fields, shows that the current relations have reached "a very high level and have laid a stronger foundation for the future development of the Russia-China relations."
Also, the two sides signed a joint statement, with Russia reiterating its adherence to the one-China policy.
"The Russian side will continue to adhere to the one-China policy and recognize the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of the whole of China," the statement says.
"Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory," it says.
Russia will not establish official relations with Taiwan or conduct official exchanges, the statement says. Russia will oppose "Taiwan Independence" of any form, including "de jure independence", and will not accept "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan," it adds.
Russia is in opposition to Taiwan joining the United Nations or other international organizations that only sovereign nations could join, and will not sell weapons to Taiwan, says the statement.
Russia understands China's efforts for peaceful reunification of the country according to the Anti-secession Law, and recognizes that the Taiwan question falls within China's internal affairs, in which external forces have no right to interfere.
"The two sides support each other's policies to safeguard national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity," the statement says.
Russia also recognizes Tibet Autonomous Region as an inalienable part of China, says the statement.
Putin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday morning for a two-day state visit at the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao. This is Putin's second visit to China since he was re-elected Russian President in 2004.
Among Putin's delegation are key Russian entrepreneurs in energy, banking and media, who are expected to exchange views with their Chinese partners to seek stronger cooperation.
During Putin's stay in Beijing, a Sino-Russian economic and trade summit will be held and the two sides will launch a series of business activities in a bid to boost trade and investment.
"Sino-Russian trade is progressing rapidly with increased cooperation methods and expanding cooperation fields," said Liu Guchang, Chinese ambassador to Russia, on the eve of Putin's China tour. "China and Russia have established a sound foundation for trade and economic cooperation, both in terms of political and economic situation. The two economies with great potential and soaring trade can combine to reach the set goals," said Li Fuchuan, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
Other favorable conditions include the planned construction of a natural gas pipeline, Russia's expected accession to the World Trade Organization and China's growing imports of Russian civil aviation aircraft and power generation facilities, according to Li.
(Xinhua News Agency March 21, 2006)