An unprecedented communication mechanism set up between China and Russia two years ago has functioned well in boosting bilateral ties, senior officials from both countries agreed on Thursday.

Li Zhanshu, director of the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that since the office established the direct discussion mechanism with the Russian Presidential Administration, the two nations had made many efforts to promote friendship.

Li was commenting while meeting with visiting Russian Presidential Administration Chief Sergei Ivanov, who is also the country's former defense minister.

The discussion mechanism was established following suggestions by President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

It is the first framework of its kind established by the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the administration of a foreign country.

China wants to work with Russia to deepen bilateral cooperation and strengthen friendship, said Li, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. The bureau has 25 members, including the Chinese president and premier.

Li said he had been deeply impressed by the reception he received while visiting Moscow in March last year. He had talks with Putin during the visit.

During the meeting, the two sides signed an agreement to boost cooperation.

Ivanov agreed with Li's comments, adding that the two agencies have established a friendly relationship with mutual trust.

In July 2014, while meeting with Ivanov in Beijing, Li said that establishing direct ties between the general office of the CPC Central Committee and its Russian counterpart would produce more direct contact between the top leaders of both nations.

anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily USA 03/25/2016 page3)