Russia, China ties at 'highest point'

CHINA: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Tuesday that Sino-Russian ties had reached their "highest point" as he wrapped up a state visit to China with a tour of the World Expo in Shanghai.

Medvedev arrived in China's financial hub from Beijing, where he met President Hu Jintao and other leaders for talks focused on his country's crucial energy cooperation with Beijing.

The two sides once bitter foes during the Cold War celebrated the completion of a long-awaited cross-border oil pipeline linking Russia, the world's biggest oil producer, with China, the largest energy consumer.

"Relations between Russia and China are at their highest point now. We are truly strategic partners," Medvedev said at a ceremony launching Russia Day at the massive Expo, a showcase of world culture and technology that began May 1. "The very fact of visiting the exhibition is another demonstration of friendship between Russia and China," he said, adding the event showed that both countries were serious about pressing ahead with economic modernisation.

"Innovations are a choice for our country," he said.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping, Medvedev's host for the day in Shanghai, said the two countries were "good neighbours", adding that it was the "best period in history" for Sino-Russian relations.

Shanghai, Tuesday, AFP