Hu congratulates Putin on presidential term

Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday congratulated Vladimir Putin on taking office as Russian president, and wished the Russian people greater achievements in developing their country under Putin's leadership.

China and Russia are the largest neighbors and the most important strategic partners for each other, and the relationship between the two countries maintains good momentum, Hu said.

To develop a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination is in line with the fundamental interests and common aspirations of people from the two countries, and is conducive to regional and world peace, stability, development and prosperity, Hu said.

China attaches great importance to its relations with Russia and is willing to work with Russia to deepen pragmatic cooperation in various fields and at various levels, and strengthen strategic coordination in international and regional affairs so that China-Russia relations can reach a new level and benefit people from both sides, he added.

On the basis of fruitful achievements, Hu urged the two countries to prioritize the implementation of a 10-year blueprint for the development of bilateral ties.

Putin was sworn in on Monday as Russian president and started his third term in the Kremlin, following two consecutive terms from 2000 to 2008, saying he considered service to his country to be the meaning of his life.

He said that Russia's future depended on efforts to support Russian families, persistence in managing vast Russian territories from the Baltic to the Pacific and the ability to become the center of gravity for all of Eurasia.

"The coming years will be decisive for Russia's fate for decades to come and we must all understand that the life of future generations, the historical prospects for our state and our nation, today depend on us," Putin was quoted by Agence France-Presse as saying.

"Today, we are entering a new stage of national development…We want to and will live in a successful Russia that is respected in the world as a reliable, open, honest and predictable partner," he said in a brief speech after taking office.

Putin served as Russian president from 2000 to 2008, and then as prime minister from 2008 to 2012. The new six-year term will keep him in power until 2018, with the option of running for a fourth term.

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev will take over Putin's former job as prime minister.

Putin is experienced as president and capable of bringing Russia to a better stage of development, Medvedev said before Putin's inauguration.