Chinese President Hu Jintao has proposed that China and Russia strengthen strategic cooperation.

The Chinese president made the proposal during a phone call with Russian President-elect Vladimir Putin.

Hu expressed hope that the two countries could strengthen strategic cooperation and upgrade their strategic partnership to a higher level.

Putin told Hu the two countries are ceaselessly strengthening bilateral cooperation in all fields and have close communication over important international issues. He added cooperation between Russia and China is important in maintaining global peace and stability amid complex international politics.