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With the signing of key commercial deals and the promise of greater political cooperation, China and Russia cemented their partnership on Tuesday against an uncertain world and regional scenario highlighted by the fluctuating Middle East crisis and shifting Asia-Pacific landscape.

The leaders of both countries also urged the international community to support UN envoy Kofi Annan's plan on Syria.

President Hu Jintao threw a lavish red-carpet welcome for Russian President Vladimir Putin, as he kicked off a three-day state visit to China, his first to Asia since commencing an historic third term last month.

During their two-hour meeting, the leaders vowed to increase cooperation in the framework of leading international organizations - the United Nations, G20, BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Hu said as both countries are in a crucial era of development, they face challenges amid increasing uncertainties in the global arena. Both need to support each other on regional and world affairs to maintain a peaceful global environment, he added.

Putin told Hu that ties between the two nations had reached "new heights", with political trust between the two "especially high".

Putin also pledged more cooperation, especially in the military field, with China in the Asia-Pacific region. The region has seen recent changes as the US is re-emphasizing its strategic focus.

Both leaders were determined that Annan's efforts should not be abandoned while the West was increasing pressure on the current Syrian leadership to step down. Syrian rebels said on Monday they were no longer bound by a UN-backed truce, a move that analysts said will trigger greater external intervention from Western powers and increase the possibility of civil war.

On the Syrian issue, the two heads of state said the international community should continue to support the joint Arab League/UN Special Envoy Annan's mediation efforts and the UN monitoring mission, to promote a political solution to the problem in Syria.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin also said on Tuesday that both Beijing and Moscow opposed foreign intervention or forced regime change in Syria.

The leaders are also believed to have covered Iran and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Analysts said China-Russia ties have become a pillar for the Euro-Asia region and world peace.

Questions:

1. Whose plan do the two leaders support regarding Syria?

2. How long was Putin’s visit to China?

3. What issues were believed to have also been covered at the meeting?

Answers:

1. UN envoy Kofi Annan’s.

2. 3 days.

3. Iran and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

（中国日报网英语点津 Helen 编辑）

About the broadcaster:

Emily Cheng is an editor at China Daily. She was born in Sydney, Australia and graduated from the University of Sydney with a degree in Media, English Literature and Politics. She has worked in the media industry since starting university and this is the third time she has settled abroad - she interned with a magazine in Hong Kong 2007 and studied at the University of Leeds in 2009.