MOSCOW - The Russian State Duma, or the lower house of parliament, ratified an agreement on Friday between China and Russia on cooperation in fighting against terrorism, separatism and extremism.

Russian President Vladimir Putin submitted the agreement to the State Duma for parliamentary ratification on Sept 28.

The agreement, signed in Beijing on Sept 27, 2010, is aimed at developing bilateral cooperation in combating terrorism, separatism and extremism by taking joint measures to prevent and stop terrorist attacks.

The two countries will exchange information in fighting criminal activities of terrorists and extremists, hold regular meetings and consultations, and work together to prevent and suppress crimes in the border regions between China and Russia.

The agreement also introduces norms for joint investigation of crimes at the request of the other country, and stipulates the exchange and joint manufacture of special equipment between the two countries.

The agreement is a follow-up to the Shanghai Convention on Combating Terrorism, Separatism and Extremism, signed on June 15, 2001, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Convention on Counter-Terrorism, signed on June 16, 2009.