Premier Li Keqiang and his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev, sent New Year’s messages to each other on Dec 31.

The Premier sent his good wishes to Medvedev, saying China and Russia reached broad consensus on bilateral relations and common concerns at the 20th China-Russia Prime Ministers Meeting on Oct 13, boosting the two countries’ new cooperation in all fields.

He also noted that both countries are at a key developing and revitalizing stage, so they should expand pragmatic cooperation, openness, and achieve mutual development amid the sluggish global economic recovery.

In the new year, the two countries will maintain a close partnership, co-lead the bilateral relationship and comprehensive cooperation to benefit the people, said the Premier.

He also expressed the hope that the bilateral relations and comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership between the two countries will see prosperous growth in the new year.

Medvedev, for his part, said in the message that the two countries’ friendship had reached the highest level in history, and he is glad to keep a healthy and constructive communication relationship with Premier Li in the next year.