Russian, Chinese MPs aim to ensure strategic cooperation course.

18/10 Tass 176

BEIJING, October 18 (Itar-Tass) -- Russian and Chinese
parliamentarians aim to ensure legislatively the course at strategic
partnership proclaimed by the leaders of the two countries, Sergei
Mironov, the speaker of the Federation Council upper house of Russian
parliament, said, opening the fourth meeting of the Inter-parliamentary
Commission for Cooperation of the Federation Council and the National
People's Congress.
He pointed out that the specific feature of the current, fourth
meeting is that it is held several weeks after the successful visit of
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to China where important arrangements
were achieved. "I believe we, parliamentarians, will show the same
positive attitude our leaders showed," he said. Mironov's colleague Wu
Bangguo, the chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's
Congress, expressed confidence that the meeting "will give a fresh impetus
to the development of relations and will strengthen cooperation between
our peoples."
The meeting of the Inter-parliamentary Commission is one of the main
events during Mironov's three-day visit to China. Assessing these days the
relations between the two countries, Mironov pointed out more than once
their high level and "trustful nature." The common interests of Russia
and China are reflected in a very broad range of cooperation.
Russian-Chinese strategic partnership is among the priorities of
Russia's foreign policy. Mironov recalled that this provision is
registered in the new wording of Russia's foreign policy concept.
It is natural that the contacts between the two countries are very
active. The heads of state met five times in 2010, a record of sorts for
the number of summit meetings. The contacts of parliamentarians are no
less intensive. Cooperation of regions of the two countries also develops.
The Inter-parliamentary Commission has a very large agenda. It is
going to discuss cooperation in the humanitarian area and education,
scientific and technical cooperation, interaction between regions, as well
as the theme of "partnership in the quest for the solution of major
international problems." The two countries are permanent members of the UN
Security Council, and their stands on major international problems are
close or coincide.
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