2010-03-26 07:43

BEIJING - China and Russia on Wednesday vowed to strengthen cooperation on regional and international matters - in a joint bid to resist pressure from key Western powers, analysts said.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (left) and Vice-President Xi Jinping meet for talks at the presidential residence, Barvikha, outside Moscow on Wednesday. [Agencies]

In his meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday, Vice-President Xi Jinping said China is willing to enhance mutual political trust, seek pragmatic cooperation with Russia, safeguard common interests, and help promote world peace and stability.

The two powers were at a historical turning point in their relationship, Xi said.

Xi's visit has demonstrated China's political will to strengthen regional cooperation and cultural exchanges with Russia, and would certainly help in promoting bilateral relations, Medvedev said.

The neighbors should step up coordination on global and regional affairs, and jointly propose diplomatic solutions to key issues, the Russian president said.

China and Russia are expected to participate in this year's BRIC Summit to be held in Brazil.

China and Russia have cultivated a strategic and cooperative relationship over the years, especially in the field of energy, Jiang Yi, an expert on Russia at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said.

Shi Zhan, an international studies expert at the China Foreign Affairs University, said both powers were teaming up to combat common global challenges.

"The two have been working quite well on the Iran and Korean Peninsula issues. They have to work together to handle pressure from Western powers," he said.

After wrapping up his tour of Russia, Xi is in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, on a two-day visit. China has pledged $1 billion loan to Belarus.

The two countries have cooperated on major issues of mutual concern, in international affairs, and have also made positive contributions toward regional peace, stability and people's common prosperity.

In December 2005, President Hu Jintao signed a joint statement with his Belarusian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko, in Beijing, which gave a fillip to bilateral ties, said Xi.

The Chinese government regards Belarus as a trustworthy partner and will firmly promote bilateral ties, he added.

Lukashenko, for his part, said Belarus highly values the mutual political trust and the understanding it has developed with China.

Belarus is dedicated to strengthening ties with China, he added.