BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday extended congratulations on the opening of the 2014 Pujiang Innovation Forum, voicing hope for enhancing bilateral cooperation in the fields of science and technology.

The forum, themed "Coordinated Innovation and Sharing Opportunities", is being held in the coastal city of Shanghai in east China on Oct. 25-26.

Xi said in his congratulatory message that China is implementing a strategy of innovation-driven development and promoting comprehensive innovation with science and technology as the core.

Russia, which boasts a unique strength in scientific innovation, has also made major achievements in the fields of science and technology, he said.

Xi expressed his belief that the China-Russia cooperation in science and technology will promote the economic and social development of the two countries and deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination.

It will also help the two peoples make new and greater contributions to safeguarding world peace and promoting common development, Xi said.

Putin said both China and Russia have unique economic potential, with a long-standing tradition of cooperation in many fields.

Nowadays, it is especially important to enhance collaboration, facilitate mutual investment, actively implement innovation projects, and expand direct exchanges between the scientific-tehnological community and the industrial and business sectors of the two countries, he added.

Putin voiced his confidence that the 2014 forum will inject new vitality into the consolidation of the comprehensive cooperative partnership between the two countries.

Initiated in 2008, the Pujiang Innovation Forum is an annual event jointly organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Municipal Government of Shanghai.

The forum aims to build a platform for communication of innovation and development, with in-depth discussions on various hot issues in the area of innovation both at home and abroad.

Russia acts as the Guest Country of Honor in the forum this year.

'Putin tiger' may spend winter in China	China, Russia to beef up legislative cooperation