Chinese president meets Russian leaders

Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday. Their talks aimed to further develop the Sino-Russian strategic partnership.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (R) welcomes visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao in Moscow, capital of Russia, June 17, 2009. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

Hu Jintao said ties between China and Russia have accelerated in recent years with frequent high-level exchanges. The two sides have substantially expanded cooperation to tackle the current financial crisis.

President Hu said the two nations have strengthened cooperation in regional and international issues in recent years. The Chinese President said that Sino-Russian ties is a foreign policy priority for China.

For his part, Putin said Russia is willing to promote substantial cooperation with China to boost the development of bilateral ties.

Ahead of meetings with Russian leaders, President Hu Jintao laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Hu arrived in Moscow Tuesday night for a state visit. This is President Hu's first state visit to Russia since Russian President Dmitry Medvedev took office in f last year.