Boris Gryzlov: China ties crucial to Russia

Development of strategic partnership with China is one of Russia's main foreign-policy objectives, State Duma Speaker Boris Gryzlov declared Monday, as he welcomed U Bango, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's legislature, to Russia on an official visit.

The two discussed world problems and bilateral cooperation, with Gryzlov underscoring the importance of the two states cooperating on interregional and border questions in order to bolster their friendship and spur trade, including the so-called 'people's trade.' Gryzlov suggested creation of a permanent Russia-China interparliamentary group.