BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chen Bingde, chief of General Staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China and his Russian counterpart Nikolay Makarov held their first-ever conversation via direct phone link on Monday.
Both military leaders hailed the successful launch of the direct phone link.
Chen said the launch of the direct phone link between the two countries' chiefs of general staff is another important measure for deepening pragmatic cooperation between Chinese and Russian militaries and another showcase of the tow countries' mutual political trust and strategic cooperation.
The direct phone link will help the two sides maintain timely communication on significant issues such as the exchange and cooperation between the armies and exchange views and collaborate stances in time on international and regional affairs, so as to promote the exchange and cooperation between the two militaries, Chen added.
For his part, Makarov said the launch of the direct phone link once more showcased the high-level of the China-Russia strategic partnership and the two countries' military ties.
He expressed his willingness to work with the Chinese side to keep frequent exchanges on the two armies' cooperation and other important issues in order to push forward their military ties.
The two leaders also exchanged views on international and regional situation, bilateral relations, and other issues of common concern.
Hu listed the effort against the unusual snow in southern China in the beginning of 2008, the 8.0-magnitude May 12 Sichuan earthquake, the successful hosting of the Olympics and Paralympics, the flight of the Shenzhou VII manned spacecraft and the hosting of the Asia-Euro Summit in October.
"Domestically. China's economic power and overall national strength has further expanded and people's living standards further improved in the past year. The Chinese people have also enhanced friendly exchanges and substantial cooperation with the people of the world, and they jointly coped with severe challenges like the global financial crisis and made new contributions to world peace and common development," he said.
The past year also marked the 30th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up, and the country has pressed ahead with the drive, Hu said.
He noted that Chinese people of all ethnic groups are working hard for an even better life.
Hu said that "2009 will be a historic year for the Chinese people," as it will mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
"Historic changes have taken place in China in the past 60 years. So have its relations with the world."
In the new year, the country will "seek stable and relatively fast economic growth based mainly on boosting domestic demand, improve its sustainable development ability by changing the pattern of development and carrying out restructuring, solve major problems that concern the public interest and promote sound, rapid economic and social development," he said.
"We will continue to adhere to the principle of 'One Country, Two Systems' and 'Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong', 'Macao people governing Macao' with a high degree of autonomy. We will join hands with compatriots in Hong Kong and Macao to promote the long-term prosperity and stability of both regions," he said.
On the Taiwan issue, he said, "We will adhere to the principle of 'peaceful reunification and one country, two systems', firmly grasp the theme of peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, strengthen cross-Straits exchanges and cooperation, and work for the well-being of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits, strive for regional peace and safeguard the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation."
The world is undergoing major changes, with the overall international situation stable but the global financial crisis rapidly spreading, Hu said. World economic growth is dramatically slowing and world peace and development still face severe challenges.
"Strengthening international cooperation and jointly coping with the challenges are the common aspirations of people around the world and a must for promoting the common development of all countries.
"I want to take this opportunity to reiterate that China will unswervingly adhere to a peaceful development and opening-up policy that aims at win-win and reciprocity, actively exchange and cooperate with the countries of the world, actively participate in international efforts to weather the global financial crisis, seek to promote world economic growth and the progress of human civilization and continue to work with all nations to help build a world of lasting peace, common prosperity and harmony."
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