President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Chairman, friends,
Once again, let me wish you a warm welcome to Moscow. We have already met twice before in Moscow, and once in China. I remember this well. Welcome.
I note that the ties between our parliaments do much to reinforce the strategic partnership between our countries. Furthermore, the Chinese parliament is a patron and support of the Russian-Chinese Friendship Society, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.
We have a very busy programme of inter-parliamentary contacts, as well as contacts at the administrative and highest levels. I will soon visit Beijing at the invitation of President Xi Jinping. I ask you to pass on to him my best wishes.
Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress Zhang Dejiang (retranslated): Thank you. I am very pleased to meet with you again, Mr President. Let me take this opportunity to pass on President Xi Jinping’s sincere greetings and best wishes.
I particularly want to thank you for the decision last year to award me the Order of Friendship, which was presented to me by Speaker of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko. This inspires me to make even greater contribution to developing our bilateral friendship and cooperation.
Under President Xi Jinping’s strategic leadership, our bilateral relations and comprehensive strategic partnership have reached a historical high point. I think that the friendship and cooperation between our countries have much room for development and great potential.
China looks forward to and welcomes your visit in May this year to attend the One Belt, One Road international cooperation forum. You will be the highest guest of honour there. You will meet with President Xi Jinping on the forum’s sidelines, and this has great significance for bolstering the friendship and cooperation between our countries and promoting bilateral cooperation in all areas, particularly in today’s situation.
Thank you.
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