What is your view on current China-Russia relations? How will Chairman Zhang's visit influence bilateral relations, especially between the legislative organs?

China and Russia enjoy a comprehensive, strategic, cooperative partnership. In March, President Xi Jinping paid a state visit of historical significance to Russia. He met with President Vladimir Putin again recently at the G20 summit. The two state leaders reached consensus on a wide range of issues and agreed on ways to promote cooperation. This high-standard political relationship has resulted in many tangible benefits and positive changes. When the two leaders met in St. Petersburg on September 5, they witnessed the signing of some important documents concerning cooperation in areas such as energy, aviation and communication between the two governments.

The most special part of China-Russia relations is that mutual political trust is based on the real situation in the 21st century. We hold identical or similar views on almost all major global and regional issues. At home, we both have to develop our economies and improve people's livelihoods. Internationally, we both favor peace and stability, stand for dialogue and cooperation and advocate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter to be upheld. We both want to comply with the elementary requirements of international law.

Moreover, both China and Russia are emerging markets. In view of the global economic turmoil, we share the common view that the world needs more coordination and cooperation and all emerging markets should work together closely to weather the storm. To put it simply, there are no substantial obstacles in bilateral relations.

Inter-parliamentary cooperation constitutes a major part of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Russia. Progress in bilateral ties offers more opportunities but also poses greater challenges in the cooperation of the two countries' legislative bodies. In 2005, the cooperation committee between China's NPC and the Russian Federation Council was set up, a sign that the legislative dialogue has become regular. The committee is China's only institution for high-level communication and exchange led by the NPC chairman. Thanks to the committee, the two institutions have exchanged experiences on social management and other issues and made great efforts to promote practical cooperation in such fields as local economic cooperation and cultural exchanges.

Facilitating international economic and trade cooperation is an important diplomatic mission of the NPC. During its communication with local governments and enterprises, it has accumulated many constructive suggestions and proposals on enhancing economic and trade cooperation with Russia, such as how to get rid of transport bottlenecks, how to facilitate bilateral trade and how to tackle the difficulties enterprises face in their development. The cooperation committee between the two countries' legislative bodies will serve as a platform for the two institutions to exchange information and find solutions to problems.

Chairman Zhang's visit to Russia will play a significant historical role, because it is his first state visit to Russia after being elected NPC chairman. He attends the seventh meeting of the cooperation committee, which is the first meeting between the new session of NPC and the Russian Federation Council.

The Chinese Dream propounded by Chinese leaders has aroused interest globally. How can we clearly explain the Chinese Dream to Africans and other foreigners to help them realize the opportunities this idea can bring them?

The Chinese Dream depicts the great revival of the Chinese nation and reflects the ideals and pursuance of the Chinese people of several generations. In addition, we have never been as close to the ideal as we are today. As President Xi and other new Chinese leaders have said, realizing the dream means people have better education, greater job security, a more decent income, better social security, improved medical and health services, more comfortable living conditions and a more beautiful environment. China has a solid basis and policy support to put forward this dream and help the Chinese people pursue their own dreams.

The 18th National Party Congress put forward the goals of doubling China's 2010 GDP and per-capita income for both urban and rural residents by 2020 and turning China into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious by 2049. These are the two key historical junctures in realizing the Chinese Dream. A developing power with a population of 1.3 billion, China has made great efforts to achieve this grand goal and will continue to do so. This is not an easy task. It is the greatest mission of the Chinese nation.

Many people outside of China are concerned about the relationship between the Chinese Dream and the world at large. They ask, when the Chinese Dream is realized, how will it influence other countries? In effect, the realization of the Chinese Dream follows the general trend of global development.

First, to realize the Chinese Dream, we need a peaceful and stable international environment. China itself should also make efforts in this regard. Thus, the Chinese Dream will be a positive energy in maintaining peace and stability. China will continue to develop itself in a peaceful manner, adhere to its diplomatic policy of independence and peace and follow the principle of not seeking hegemony or power politics.

Second, the realization of the Chinese Dream means sustainable development of China itself. After a country with a population 1.3 billion enters a higher level of development, it will surely contribute to the economic development in neighboring countries and the world, and bring more global opportunities. China will position itself globally in various layers, including resources, markets and even capital and talent personnel. Thus, it also needs to launch more mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries.

Third, the Chinese Dream is the same as the dreams of people in other developing countries and they complement each other. In the process of realizing its dream, China will also share its development experience and opportunities with other countries. At the same time, we also need to foster our capacity of supplying international public goods.

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