ST. PETERSBURG-- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived in St. Petersburg of Russia Monday evening, kicking off his two-day official visit to the country, where he is expected to exchange views on further deepening and expanding China-Russia ties.

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The following are highlights of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's activities in Russia on Monday:

In a written speech given at the airport, Wen said China-Russia relations have maintained a vigorous momentum in recent years. Traditional friendship between the two peoples has deepened, political mutual trust enhanced and economic cooperation strengthened. China and Russia has effective cooperation when dealing with international affairs, he said.

"Developing a long-term healthy and steady strategic partnership of coordination between China and Russia is in line with the basic interests of the two countries and two peoples, conducive to the development and growth of the two countries, and helpful to the development of the world's multipolarization and establishment of a more reasonable and just international order," he said.

After his arrival, Premier Wen and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin held talks and vowed to strengthen bilateral ties.

Wen said that with the organization of a series of cultural activities including the language year programs, China-Russia ties have developed to an unprecedentedly high level.

This is in line with the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples, contributes vigorously to world peace and promotes development of both countries, Wen said.

"I hope to inject new vigor into the comprehensive deepening of Sino-Russian strategic partnership of coordination through my visit," said the Chinese premier.

Premier Wen and Putin also exchanged views on promoting cooperation in key sectors.