President Hu Jintao congratulated his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the occasion of Russia's national day on Tuesday.

In his message, Hu said that under the leadership of President Putin, Russia has achieved all-around development in various social and economic fields and has significantly enhanced its national strength.

"Russia is playing an increasingly important role in international affairs and the Chinese people highly appreciate the progress that the Russian people have made," the message said.

This year marks the opening of the second ten-year period of China and Russia's strategic partnership. China will work together with Russia to implement the Sino-Russian Good-Neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, and carry out other important agreements and consensuses reached between the two sides, Hu said.

Hu also mentioned the ongoing China Year in Russia, and said China will make joint efforts with Russia to consolidate and strengthen the basis of their strategic partnership and to work together for the well-being of the two peoples and people of the whole world.

(Xinhua News Agency June 12, 2007)