Wang Zhaoguo, president of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, met in Beijing Monday with Mikhail Shmakov a, president of the Russian Federation of Independent Trade Unions.

Wang, also vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, said the Chinese trade unions have always been working to develop friendly relations with the trade unions of all countries under the principles of independence, equality, mutual respect and non-interference of internal affairs.

He acknowledged that the economic globalization has brought both new circumstances and new problems to the trade unions worldwide, and he hoped that the trade union organizations of China and Russia would enhance cooperation in an effort to jointly promote the healthy development of international trade union movement.

Shmakova said his federation highly values its cooperative relations with the Chinese side and is ready to make efforts to promote Russia-China relations.

The delegation was visiting China at the invitation of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions.

(Xinhua News Agency October 26, 2004)