Russian Ambassador to China Sergey Razov at the press conference. -Xinhua

Russian Ambassador to China Sergey Razov said in Beijing on Thursday that military cooperation is not the most important part of Russia-China relations.

Razov made the remarks at a press conference on the Year of Russia, to be inaugurated amid Russian President Vladimir Putin's state visit to China on March 21 and 22.

Razov told the media not to pay too much attention to the military programs during the Year of Russia, which after all account for only a portion of all the programs.

The Year of Russia in 2006 in China and the Year of China in 2007 in Russia were declared in a joint statement last year. The two goodwill programs will involve a wide spectrum of areas designed to enhance mutual understanding between the two countries and peoples.

China and Russia have stepped up their cooperation in such fields as political trust, trade, military and energy cooperation. In August 2005, the two armed forces launched their first-ever joint military drill.

"The two armies have conducted close coordination in terms of combat capability and technique," said Razov.

Razov said the military drill was aimed at boosting bilateral cooperation in fighting against terrorism and promoting peace and stability in the region.

"The drill and the military cooperation between the two countries are not targeted at any third party," said Razov.