Russian President Putin's China visit was "fruitful", and can further strengthen the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation, said a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman on Tuesday.

President Hu Jintao and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin attend the opening ceremony of the Year of Russia at the Great Hall of the People, March 21. The year-long festival, which features more than 200 cultural, economic and educational events, was agreed upon by the two countries in 2004. [Newsphoto]

"During Putin's two-day state visit, China and Russia signed 22 agreements covering politics, diplomacy, energy, investment, finance and communications," Qin Gang told a regular press conference.

Qin noted that the two sides also put forward some new ideas on bilateral cooperation, such as pledging to coordinate economic strategies and actively guiding and supporting local companies of the two countries to seek new opportunities for cooperation in each other's economic and regional development strategies.

Qin said that Putin's visit to China was significant as this year marked the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Russia strategic partnership of cooperation and the fifth anniversary of the Sino-Russian treaty of friendship and cooperation.

During his visit, Putin held talks and exchanged views with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues of common concern. The two presidents also signed China-Russia joint statement, attended the opening ceremony of the Year of Russia in China and addressed the high-level China-Russia economic forum. Putin also held meetings with top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao.

Qin added that during Putin's visit, the two presidents initiated a series of activities for the Year of Russia in China, which is a pioneering project in the history of the two sides and has great significance in improving mutual understanding and promoting cooperation.