BEIJING, April 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said here Tuesday that China is fully confident in the prospect of China-Russia bilateral relations.

   Kong said at the ministry's regular press briefing that the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation between China and Russia has been developing well in recent years and the bilateral cooperation and exchanges in all areas including in the political affairs were also improving continuously.

   Kong said Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing will visit Russia later in April and attend the regular meeting for foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Moscow on April 23.

   "This is an important visit and I believe it could start the personal exchanges between the Chinese and Russian foreign ministers from a new basis and the two ministers could set up a close working relationship to further promote the smooth development of China-Russia strategic partnership," Kong said.

   Kong said Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov will visit China from April 20 to 22 at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Cao Gangchuan.

   He said the Chinese government and military leaders will hold talks with Ivanov and the two sides will exchange views on military exchanges, bilateral relations, regional and international situation as well as other issues of common concern.

   "China and Russia will have a series of important high-level visits this year, covering bilateral exchange and cooperation," Kong said. Enditem