Russian President Vladimir Putin has described his visit to China as "an important step forward" in the bilateral relations.

Interfax news agency quoted Putin as saying that an important step forward has been made in cooperation with the People's Republic of China.

Putin had his official visit to China on Oct. 14-16. During his stay in Beijing, Putin met with President Hu Jintao, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Wu Bangguo, and Premier Wen Jiaobao.

The two heads of state signed a Sino-Russian Joint Statement and sanctioned an implementation program for the Sino-Russian Good-Neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation.

This is Putin's third visit to China and the first one in his second term of presidency.

(Xinhua News Agency October 19, 2004)