Co-chairing the 16^th regular meeting between the two countries' prime ministers along with Putin, Wen said that the Chinese government is willing to work harder with the Russian side to build a comprehensive strategic partnership featuring equality, mutual trust, mutual support and common prosperity between China and Russia.

Putin hailed the unprecedented highs that have been reached in political cooperation and cultural exchanges held between the two countries.

The two sides are willing to seek new solutions for "occasionally occurring" problems, Putin said.

During the meeting, Wen raised a six-point proposal to reinforce Sino-Russian ties.

He called on the two countries to improve their trade structure and environment and step up support for promoting two-way investment.

Putin said Russia highly values its relations with China and believes that both nations enjoy a broad outlook for cooperation.

Russia is ready to strengthen strategic contact and coordination with China and expand the scope of bilateral cooperation, he said.

The two leaders also witnessed a signing ceremony for nine Sino-Russian agreements covering areas such as agriculture, tourism and economy.

Before their talks, Wen hosted a red-carpet welcome ceremony for Putin, who is in China for a two-day official visit.

The regular meetings between Chinese and Russian prime ministers, first established in 1996, have become an important platform for guiding and coordinating bilateral cooperation.

Chinese President Hu Jintao and chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Wu Bangguo met Putin on October 12.