Russia is seeking to boost relations with Asian countries while its rifts with western nations continue to linger, analysts say.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's recent visits to Kazakhstan and China signal that his country seeks a more balanced foreign policy, which analysts describe as an obvious trend in Russia's overall foreign policy in recent years.

Strengthening Russia-Asia ties

During his two-day visit to China, which concluded Saturday, Medvedev met with Chinese President Hu Jintao and the two leaders vowed to push forward the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation.

"Russia-China relations are one of the most important factors for maintaining stability in modern conditions," Medvedev said Saturday in a speech at Tsinghua University in Beijing.

Cooperation between China and Russia "is aimed at maintaining a global balance", he said.

The trip to China was Medvedev's first overseas trip since being sworn in on May 7.

Medvedev's choice of China as the destination for his first tour abroad is indicative of the great importance attached by the two countries to their strategic partnership of cooperation, said Ma Zhengang, director of the China Institute of International Studies.

Political observers are optimistic about Sino-Russian relations under Medvedev as the two countries, both permanent members of the UN Security Council, believe in addressing international issues with a multilateral approach and within the UN's legal framework.

Russia has accused the United States and other western nations of abusing international law by invading Iraq and recognizing the self-declared independence of Kosovo.