BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- China's new Premier Li Keqiang and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev agreed to further promote bilateral cooperation during a telephone conversation Monday.
Medvedev congratulated Li on his endorsement as premier, and said Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming visit to Russia indicated the high level of the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination between Russia and China.
Medvedev said he would like to work with Li to promote pragmatic cooperation in all fields through the regular Russia-China premier-level meetings.
Li said the promotion of the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination between the giant neighbors would not only serve the two sides' interests, but contribute to world peace, stability and development.
President Xi's upcoming visit to Russia would inject a new impetus into the two countries' relations, he said, adding that promoting relations with Russia was a priority for Chinese diplomacy.
The Chinese premier invited Medvedev to visit China in the second half of the year for the 18th premier-level talks between the two countries, calling the meetings an important platform for planning and coordinating bilateral cooperation in various areas.
Li was endorsed as Chinese premier Friday at the first session of the 12th National People's Congress, the country's top legislature.
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