Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin shake hands at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Oct 12, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

BEIJING - President Hu Jintao met Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin Wednesday in Beijing to exchange views on the development of the strategic relations of cooperation and partnership between China and Russia.

Hu welcomed Putin's visit, calling the Russian prime minister "an old friend of the Chinese people."

Hu categorized the 16th regular meeting between the two countries' prime ministers that Putin co-chaired with Premier Wen Jiabao on Tuesday as pragmatic and productive.

"I believe your visit will further promote the development of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation," Hu said.

Echoing Hu's views, Putin hailed the rapid growth of bilateral relations, noting that Hu's visit to Russia in June injected new momentum for the two nations to foster ties.

Putin told Hu that he reviewed the current cooperation between the two countries in various fields with Premier Wen during the regular meeting on Tuesday, and the two sides also proposed plans for future cooperation.

"Prior to the regular meeting, business representatives from our two nations had signed a series of cooperative agreements with a value of over seven billion US dollars," Putin added.

He also extended greetings from Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to Hu.

As Wen's guest,  Putin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for a two-day official visit.