Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People’s Congress Zhang Dejiang (retranslated): Mr President, I would like to begin by welcoming you on behalf of the National People’s Congress.
As far as I know, this is now your fifteenth visit to China, and you are the foreign leader with whom the President [of China Xi Jinping] has met most often.
I know that you and President Xi Jinping will hold important talks today too. You will also meet with Premier [of the Chinese State Council] Li Keqiang. I wish you a successful visit, Mr President.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much, Mr Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. It is a pleasure to see you again.
You mentioned the number of visits I have made to the People’s Republic of China. This unquestionably reflects the priority that Russia places on developing relations with China. Our parliamentary ties are most certainly a very important part of these relations. In this respect, I believe it is significant that I am beginning this visit today by meeting with you.
Thank you very much.
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