Premier Wen Jiabao said Monday that "to further enhance Sino-Russian relationship is in compliance with the current situation and the development need of the two countries."

Wen made the remarks during his meeting with Sergei Mironov, chairman of the Russian Federation Council.

He said China and Russia have seen rapid development in their bilateral relationship as well as enhanced cooperation in recent years.

"The China-Russia relationship has entered a new era of development since the two countries established a strategic partnership of cooperation and signed the Good-Neighborly Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation," he said.

Wen pointed out that both China and Russia are in a critical stage of development under the context of changing and complicated international situation, adding that "to cement bilateral ties is conducive to world peace and prosperity."

He hoped the two countries could promote the comprehensive cooperation from a strategic perspective, in a friendly and mutually beneficial manner, and in accordance with the principles enshrined in the China-Russia Joint Declaration on the World Order in the 21st Century.

He called on the two countries to make contributions to creating a just and reasonable international order.

Mironov agreed with Wen's comment on bilateral relationship, saying the frequent exchanges of high-level visits between China and Russia over the past two years have promoted bilateral ties.

The two countries have conducted close cooperation in various fields, in particular, in dealing with international affairs, he said.

Mironov emphasized that the Russian parliament and government attach great importance to strengthening the Russia-China relationship and are eager to bolster cooperation with China in high-tech, resource exploitation and environmental protection.

Mironov said Russia would encourage and support its enterprises to get more involved in revitalizing the traditional industrial bases in northeast China so as to inject new vigor and vitality into bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

(Xinhua News Agency September 27, 2005)