By Wang Zhuoqiong (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-03-06 07:35

Russia's president-elect Dmitry Medvedev is a "charming" and "capable" leader, says China's ambassador to Russia Liu Guchang.

Posted in Russia since 2003, Liu has had discussions on bilateral ties with Medvedev on many occasions. "He has treated me as a friend whenever we've met." He is "quick and direct", and has never dodged a question.

Liu says it is not true that Medvedev won the recent elections only because of Russian President Vladimir Putin's recommendation, as has been reported by the Western media.

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More than anything else, it's his long-time leadership in key national projects such as healthcare, housing, education and agriculture that helped him win the Russian people's trust.

"I've seen the improvements in housing and talked with government senior officials and the general public," Liu says. "People like him and respect him."

Medvedev's victory in the polls is a boost to China-Russia ties and will certainly take bilateral ties to an even higher level.

"Since Medvedev participated in drafting and developing Putin's policies, he is expected to continue following his predecessor's policy on China."

Medvedev has been engaged in the China-Russia relations for a long time, and has dedicated himself to promoting bilateral relations, Liu says.

Medvedev's contribution to the success of the "Year of China" in Russia last year was immense, and it enhanced understanding and trust between the two countries significantly.

"Mevedev looks even more handsome when you see him in person. And he is more intelligent and amiable than he appears to be on TV," Liu says.

Taking bilateral ties and the strategic partnership to higher levels is in the fundamental interest of the Russian and Chinese peoples, he says.

China-Russia trade volume has increased rapidly in recent years, touching $40 billion last year. And Liu says the countries are entering a major phase of development because "a large number of projects in all sectors are sprouting up everywhere".

"Bilateral trade should cross $100 billion in the next three to five years," Liu says. "We have to increase the trade of value-added products and mutual investment."