China-Russia relations at highest level ever - Chinese Foreign Ministry

BEIJING. Feb 28 (Interfax) - China-Russia relations are at their highest level ever, Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Sun Weidong said.

"Bilateral relations are at the highest level ever," the Chinese Foreign Ministry quoted Sun as telling Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at a meeting in Moscow.

Sun noted the sound, sustainable development of relations of "comprehensive strategic cooperation between China and Russia in the new era."

He called for using the 75th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations, observed this year, "as a new starting point" for "further strengthening of mutual political and strategic trust, expansion of comprehensive strategic cooperation, and deepening of pragmatic interaction in various fields."

Sun affirmed the important role of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Asia Pacific affairs and joint provision of regional security, stability and development.

The sides exchanged views on global and regional affairs of mutual interest, including the situation on the Korean Peninsula and Ukraine.

Sun visited Moscow on February 26-27 for consultations on Chinese-Russian relations and SCO affairs. He held talks with his Russian counterpart Andrei Rudenko and was received by Lavrov.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry posted a report on Sun's visit to Moscow on its website.