Senior Chinese and Russian officials met in Beijing yesterday for a second round of strategic security talks, moving to further strengthen the partnership between the two countries.

State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan and visiting Russian Security Council Secretary Igor Ivanov conducted the talks, and the two parties discussed bilateral ties and the interaction on the international scene.

During the 3-hour meeting, Tang called on the two sides to enhance coordination on major strategic security issues and to support each other in the important areas of sovereignty and national security.

Ivanov said Sino-Russian relations have reached their highest level in a changing international situation, saying the two countries have given high priority to each other's major interests and concerns. They have also attained effective cooperation in their struggle against new threats and challenges, a testament to a stronger strategic partnership.

China and Russia decided to hold regular strategic security consultations in February when Tang visited Russia and met with President Vladimir Putin. The first round of the talks in Moscow between Tang and Ivanov began in the same month.

This is the first time China has established a mechanism to consult with another country about national security strategies.

Ivanov will meet with President Hu Jintao today, concluding his three-day China visit, and leave Beijing for India.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan also revealed that Premier Wen Jiabao will fly to Moscow on Wednesday to attend the Fourth Meeting of Prime Ministers of the Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

The two also pledged to make efforts to guarantee the success of next year's top leader meeting and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit Meeting.

(China Daily October 21, 2005)