ST. PETERSBURG, Russia - Visiting senior leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC) He Guoqiang on Wednesday arrived in St. Petersburg, Russia's second largest city, where he met with Vyacheslav Makarov, chairman of the legislative assembly of the city, on regional cooperation between the two countries.

On Tuesday, He met in Moscow leaders of major Russia political parties on strengthening inter-party cooperation.

When meeting with Lyudmila Shvetsova, deputy speaker of the State Duma from the United Russia party, He said China is willing to make joint efforts with Russia in promoting bilateral ties.

"The United Russia party, as the most significant political power in Russia, has played an important role in maintaining the stability in the country, developing economy, improving people's living standard, among others," said He, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau.

China attaches great importance to exchanges and cooperation with the ruling United Russia party, He said, adding that recent years have witnessed fruitful achievements in the relations between the CPC and the United Russia, as a multi-level exchange mechanism has been established.

"China will further its ties with the United Russia, sharing experiences in governance and exploring a development path in line with the national conditions of the two countries to promote economy while improving people's living standard," he said.

Shvetsova said cooperation between Russia and China, as strategic partners, in the Asia Pacific and international affairs has been very close in the past years, playing an important role to peace in the region and the world. United Russia would like to further exchanges with the CPC to promote bilateral relations.  

He Guoqiang also held talks with Ivan Melnikov, deputy speaker of the State Duma from the Communist Party.

The CPC has always cherished its friendship with Russia's Communist Party, which has offered great support to China on issues that pertain to China's core interests, he noted, pledging that the CPC would further its ties with Russia's Communist Party to advance China-Russia relations to a new high.

Melnikov said his party attaches great importance to the Russia-China comprehensive strategic cooperation and partnership, adding that Russia's Communist Party will actively implement cooperation agreements with the CPC to boost inter-party relations.

He arrived in Moscow on Monday to start his official visit to Russia, the final leg of his four-country visit, which has taken him to the Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia.