Hu congratulates Putin

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President Hu Jintao on Monday congratulated Vladimir Putin on his taking office as Russian president, wishing the people of Russia greater success in developing their nation under his leadership.

China and Russia are each other's largest neighbor and most important strategic partner, and the relationship between the two countries has maintained good momentum, Hu said.

Developing a comprehensive strategic partnership is in line with the fundamental interests and common aspirations of the people from the two countries, and is conducive to regional and world peace, stability, development and prosperity, Hu said.

Putin was sworn in on Monday as Russian president and began his third term in the Kremlin following two consecutive terms from 2000 to 2008, saying he considered service to his country to be the meaning of his life. Putin was prime minister from 2008 to 2017.

The Kremlin bells echoed across Moscow and the presidential guard donned Tsarist-era uniforms for the brief but spectacular inauguration.

Placing his right hand on a copy of the constitution, Putin swore to "respect and protect the rights and freedoms of the people" and defend Russia's security as he officially took over from Medvedev for a six-year term.

After taking office, Putin submitted to the State Duma a bill, nominating Medvedev as prime minister in the new government.

China attaches great importance to its relations with Russia, and is willing to work with Russia to deepen pragmatic cooperation in various fields and at various levels, and strengthen strategic coordination in international and regional affairs to push China-Russia relations to new levels and benefit the two peoples, he added.

Hu urged the two countries to make the implementation of a 10-year blueprint for the development of bilateral ties a priority.

Winning the election on March 4 with 63.6 percent of the vote, Putin's new six-year term will keep him in power until 2018 with the option of running for a fourth term.

Meanwhile, riot police dispelled protesters at an anti-Putin rally on Sunday, in which at least 22 were led away when a crowd of more than 100 started shouting anti-Putin slogans near two luxury hotels 500 meters from the Kremlin, and dozens of others were detained by police on a boulevard near the route of Putin's motorcade to the ceremony, AFP reported.

Questions:

1. When was Putin sworn in as president?

2. When was Putin prime minister?

3. What did President Hu Jintao urge to implement as a priority?

Answers:

1. Monday.

2. 2008-2017.

3. A 10-year blueprint for the development of bilateral ties.

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.