The message read in part:
“We regard this basic document as a major landmark in the progressive development of Russian-Chinese relations moving towards a strategic partnership. The results of the past year convincingly show that the decision to place our long-term cooperation on a solid foundation was correct.
I am glad to see that by uniting their efforts Russia and China have managed to create an optimal model of bilateral relations and develop fruitful mutually advantageous cooperation in the interests of both nations.
I am convinced that the fulfilment of the treaty’s potential will help to deepen and expand Russian-Chinese political, economic, military-technical, humanitarian and other cooperation and promote a closer coordination of our countries’ foreign policy efforts in the international arena.”