Putin hosts banquet to welcome Chinese president
( 2003-05-28 09:25 ) (8)

Chinese President Hu Jintao and his wife, Liu Yongqing, attended a banquet Tuesday night in the Kremlin hosted by his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and his wife.

In his speech at the banquet, Putin spoke highly of the good-neighborly relations of friendship and cooperation between Russia and China.

Russia-China relations have been an important factor for peace and stability in Eurasia and the two sides will work together and contribute to the establishment of a more secure and just world, Putin said.

For his part, Hu said China will work with Russia to inherit the past, usher in the future and be unswervingly devoted to strengthening and developing the Sino-Russian strategic and cooperative partnership.

Chinese President Hu arrived here on Monday for a three-day state visit to Russia.