President Hu Jintao left Kazan, capital of the Russian republic Tatarstan for home on Wednesday concluding his state visit to Russia.

 

President Hu arrived in Kazan on Tuesday evening from Moscow after meeting his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and attending activities marking the "Year of China" in Russia.

 

During their talks in the Kremlin on Monday, the two leaders exchanged views on further development of the China-Russia strategic partnership of cooperation and discussed major international and regional issues.

 

In Moscow, Hu and Putin attended the opening ceremony of the "Year of China" in Russia, which is aimed at deepening the friendship, enhancing cooperation and promoting China-Russia strategic partnership of cooperation.

 

On Tuesday, Hu and Putin attended the inauguration ceremony of China National Exhibition, an important event of the "Year of China" and the biggest comprehensive show China has held outside the country in almost three decades.

 

The Chinese and Russian leaders agreed to launch the "Year of China" in Russia this year during President Hu's visit to Russia in July 2005. The "Year of Russia" was held last year in China.

 

Hu started his three-day trip to Russia on Monday.

 

(Xinhua News Agency March 29, 2007)