XI'AN (China), October 9. /TASS/. Humanitarian cooperation plays a unique role in the development of the Russian-Chinese relations, and the two sides should strengthen strategic planning in this important area of bilateral contacts, Vice Premier of China’s State Council Liu Yandong said on Friday at the opening of the 16th session of the Russian-Chinese Commission for Humanitarian Cooperation. Liu Yandong is also the commission’s co-chair from the Chinese side.

"In the future, we need to strengthen the strategic planning and expand areas of cooperation on the existing basis, to enrich its content to attract more people to the participation in this cooperation and to better serve the cause of the development of the Chinese-Russian relations," she said.

She pointed to the importance of boosting cooperation between Russia and China in the current complicated international situation. "At present, profound changes are underway in the international situation. China and Russia as the United Nations founders and permanent members of the UN Security Council shoulder enormous responsibility for peace and security in the world. The further strengthening of the Chinese-Russian relations of comprehensive strategic partnership has great relevance, and this requires us to further enhance cooperation and mutual support, to work together to shape new international relations whose core is cooperation," Li Yandong said.

The Russian delegation at the 16th session of the Russian-Chinese Commission for Humanitarian Cooperation is led by Deputy Prime Minister and co-chair from the Russian side Olga Golodets.