President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev: Mr President, Chinese colleagues, I want to wish you a warm welcome to the Kremlin.
Today, President of China Hu Jintao, is making a state visit to the Russian Federation. We met five times last year. This was a good result and it shows how dynamically relations between Russia and China are developing. We have regular contacts and I think this is a guarantee that the strategic partnership and cooperation between our countries will continue to develop.
Our countries, like the rest of the world, are in the process of fighting the global financial crisis. The way our partnership develops will be a vital factor for many of the decisions taken by the G20 and other groups. Mr President, we were just in Yekaterinburg together, where we took part in the SCO [Shanghai Cooperation Organisation] summit and the BRIC Group’s first summit.
So, much depends on how we coordinate our efforts. We need to do everything possible to maintain the positive results we have achieved over these last years. Last year, our bilateral trade reached a figure of 55 billion USD. We will try to do everything we can to keep our economic cooperation at this level and minimise the effects of the crisis this year.
At our one-on-one meeting just now we discussed bilateral relations and foreign policy coordination between Russia and China. Now we can continue in expanded format, exchange views on developing our bilateral ties further and sign a number of agreements reflecting the different areas in which we cooperate.
Once again, I wish you welcome, Mr President, and hope now to continue our dialogue.
President of the People'S Republic of China Hu Jintao (as translated from Russian): Mr President, first of all I would like to sincerely thank you for your kind invitation and warm hospitality. I am very pleased to be able to meet with you again.
Some two months ago, in April, we met with you during the G20 summit in London. In these past days we both participated in the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the BRIC summit, which culminated in great success. We appreciate the great and efficient work done during the Russian presidency of the SCO.
After our meeting today in a restricted format, I am now ready to continue our exchange of views on deepening and further developing our bilateral relations in an expanded format.
This year marks 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia. Over these years our relations have undergone certain tests. The Chinese Government and people will never forget that the Government of the Soviet Union was the first to recognise the People's Republic of China and establish diplomatic relations with a new China. It was with your help that we set up 156 large industrial facilities and created a large contingent of highly qualified personnel in the young Republic. All of this was crucial support for a new China and helped promote its independence, sovereignty, security and socio-economic development.
In 1996 our two countries approved partnership and strategic relations. Over the past 13 years we have developed mechanisms for meetings and cooperation at various levels. We have successfully settled border issues relegated to us from history, deepened practical cooperation in various fields, and signed the Treaty of Good-Neighbourly Relations, Friendship and Cooperation. We work together in promoting a multipolar world and the democratisation of international relations. The Chinese-Russian partnership and strategic cooperation has become a worthy example of relations between major countries and a model of good neighbourliness and friendship.
The 60-year development period of Sino-Russian relations leads us to some serious and profound conclusions. First, only with mutual trust can we continuously deepen our bilateral political relationship. Second, only mutual respect, equality and mutually beneficial cooperation ensures us a maximum gain, namely joint development and prosperity in both our countries. Third, only with mutual understanding and support are we able to effectively protect our fundamental interests in vital issues.
And lastly, only the ability to find the common ground, leaving our differences aside and resolving them through friendly consultations, ensures the long-term development of our relations along the path of healthy and stable growth.
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