Chinese Premier Li Keqiang speaks at a press conference after the closing meeting of the first session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 17, 2013. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Vice Premiers Zhang Gaoli, Liu Yandong, Wang Yang and Ma Kai met the press and answered questions here on Sunday. (Xinhua/Chen Jianli)

Premier Li Keqiang said Sunday he hopes trade volume between China and Russia would increase rapidly from the current level of 80 billion U.S. dollars a year.

Both China and Russia should work on making the bilateral trade double, quadruple and even more in the coming years, Li said at a press conference after the annual session of the national legislature concluded Sunday morning.

Li said a sound relationship between China and Russia is conducive to peace and stability in Asia Pacific and the world.

"Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming visit to Russia shows how important the bilateral relationship is," Li said.

As each other's biggest neighbor, China and Russia need to enhance practical cooperation and leverage big economic integrities between the two sides, he said.

The two sides also need to step up communication and coordination in regional and international affairs, Li said. "This will consolidate our bilateral relations and maintain peace and stability of the region and the whole world."