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Backgrounder: China, Russia strengthen strategic ties

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Source: CCTV.com | 03-27-2007 08:29

Special Report:   President Hu visits Russia

China and Russia have worked closely to boost strategic bilateral relations. In 2006, they promoted cooperation and strengthened coordination in international affairs.

2006 marked the tenth anniversary of the strategic partnership between China and Russia. It was also the fifth anniversary of the Sino-Russian Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation.

Within the framework of the Russia Year in China, Sino-Russian relations reached a historic high. The two sides cooperated in various fields.

During the year, Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin met four times, and almost all high-level Russian leaders visited China.

And the frequent contact wasn't restricted to top officials.

China received over 400 formal delegations, with more than a quarter of them above the deputy-ministerial level.

Another foundation of Sino-Russian ties -- economic cooperation -- continues to develop smoothly.

Recent research indicates bilateral trade volumes could reach 50 billion US dollars by the year 2009.

This economic cooperation centers around energy, as China is one of the largest consumers of Russian oil.