Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) meets with Valentina Matviyenko, chairwoman of Russia's Federation Council, in Moscow, capital of Russia, March 23, 2013. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)?

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chairwoman of Russia's Federation Council Valentina Matvienko on Saturday agreed to step up bilateral cooperation and exchanges at local levels and between the two nations' legislative bodies. During their meeting, Xi said the exchanges and cooperation between the legislatures of the two countries are an important part of the China-Russia relationship.

The two sides have established an exchange and cooperation mechanism that is under the direct leadership of the leaders of the two nations' legislative bodies, which has championed the development of cooperation in all sectors, he said, adding that he hoped the two nations' legislatures could deepen their exchanges, and offer new ideas to boost the development of bilateral ties.

The Chinese president said the two sides should give full play to the regular meeting mechanism between the local leaders of the two countries so as to facilitate a healthy and orderly development of bilateral cooperation at local levels.

He also urged the two countries to promote cooperation in the fields of tourism, culture and education.

Matvienko hailed that Xi's visit to Russia is a great success, and said that the Russians, who are paying close attention to it, are happy to see China has made tremendous progress in its development.

Political leaders and the legislature in Russia are obligated to do a good job in maintaining Russia-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, she said.

Matvienko said the Federation Council, Russia's upper house of the parliament, would take the development of a friendly relationship with China as its priority, and firmly support bilateral cooperation.

The chairwoman also said that the council hoped to strengthen its exchanges and cooperation with China's National People's Congress, and step up its support for bilateral cooperation at local levels, adding that Russia's far eastern areas are willing to enhance their links and cooperation with China.

President Xi arrived in Moscow on Friday for a state visit to Russia, the first leg of his maiden foreign trip since he took office last week.

Also on Saturday, Xi Jinping met Chairman of Russia's State Duma Sergei Naryshkin on ways to advance inter-parliamentary relations between the two countries.

The Chinese president on Friday held talks with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, and attended, together with Putin, the opening ceremony of the "Tourism Year of China" in Russia.

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