Putin: Military drill evidence of closer ties
By Guo Nei (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-08-11 06:08

Generals and officers of the Russian Defence Ministry and the operational group of the air force, the navy and the army flew to China on Tuesday, Moltensky was quoted by Xinhua as saying.

"We are keeping constant contact with the office of the Russian military attache in Beijing. We are solving all issues related to border and customs services," said Moltensky, who is heading the ministry's operational group during the exercise.

Xinhua also quoted President Putin as saying the manoeuvres will probably be "the largest" in the history of bilateral relations.

President Putin said the Russian army will use "the most advanced weapons" during the exercise.

Meanwhile, when meeting the newly appointed Ambassador to China Sergei Razov, Putin said: "The signing of a major treaty in 2001 and settling of border issues laid a solid foundation for long-term historic prospects, and that's not an overstatement."

He said it would be quite reasonable for the new ambassador to focus on economic relations.

"Our trade is developing well enough, but the real prospects are much broader and we have many spare reserves yet," Putin was quoted as saying.