Editor-in-Chief of Xinhua News Agency He Ping (R, front) meets with his TASS Russian News Agency counterpart Maxim Filimonov in Beijing, capital of China, June 6, 2018. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

BEIJING, June 6 (Xinhua) -- Xinhua News Agency and TASS Russian News Agency (ITAR-TASS) on Wednesday agreed in Beijing to enhance exchanges and cooperation, and contribute to a stronger China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination.

The agreement was made during a meeting between Editor-in-Chief of Xinhua News Agency He Ping and his ITAR-TASS counterpart Maxim Filimonov.

He said the two news agencies had maintained sound cooperation since they signed an agreement in 1956. The two sides inked a new cooperation agreement in 2016.

The two news agencies conducted fruitful cooperation in various areas, including hosting a joint photo exhibition, He said.

He called on both sides to cement exchange and cooperation, and provide public opinion support for the development of the China-Russia partnership.

Filimonov said ITAR-TASS attaches great importance to its cooperation with Xinhua, and was impressed by Xinhua's rapid development in recent years, especially its innovation in social media reporting. He expected closer exchanges and cooperation between the two news agencies.