On April 13, 2011, Chinese President Hu Jintao met in Sanya City of south China's Hainan Province with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev, who is here for BRICS Leaders Meeting and the opening ceremony of the BFA Annual Conference 2011. The two heads of state exchanged in-depth views on bilateral ties, cooperation among BRICS countries as well as major international and regional issues and reached important consensus. Both sides agreed to work together to push for sustained, healthy and steady development of China-Russia relations.
Hu pointed out that last year the Chinese and Russian leaders met several times, exchanging views on a range of major issues, which contributed to comprehensively deepening China-Russia strategic cooperative partnership and expanding bilateral cooperation in all areas. Since this year, China-Russia relations have continued to maintain a sound growth momentum. The China-Russia crude oil pipeline has been put into operation and both sides have successfully held their fifth round of strategic security consultations. Bilateral trade has seen a strong growth momentum with closer coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs.
Medvedev said he was very glad to attend the BRICS Leaders Meeting and the opening ceremony of the BFA Annual Conference 2011 in Hainan. Russia and China, as strategic partners to each other, have maintained close cooperation in political, economic and other areas with frequent high-level exchanges, fruitful economic and trade cooperation and close coordination on international affairs. The Russian side is satisfied with the progress made in bilateral ties.
Hu pointed out that currently the international situation is becoming more complex. The two countries should remain committed to developing China-Russia strategic cooperative partnership, safeguard the two countries' common interests and promote world peace, security and stability. Both sides should make full use of huge potential and advantages in bilateral cooperation and work on the following four major aspects to promote relations. First, both sides should seize the opportunity of the 10th anniversary of the signing of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation to carry forward the concept of peace and consolidate the traditional China-Russia friendship. Second, both sides should enhance mutual political support and firmly back each other's efforts in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and interests. Third, both sides should push forward cooperation on major energy projects like the west natural gas pipeline from West Siberia to China and expand all-round cooperation of mutual benefit in sectors such as economy and trade, investment, advanced technologies, finance, localities and culture. Fourth, both sides should strengthen communication and coordination on international and regional affairs as well as major issues such as the global economic and financial system reform.
Medvedev agreed with Hu's opinions on developing ties, saying that Russia is willing to work with China to push the bilateral cooperation in all areas to a new level. Medvedev said that the two countries should improve high-level exchanges and political dialogue and have in-depth discussions on bilateral and international occasions on major international and regional issues of common concern. He said the two countries should hold grand celebrations on the 10th anniversary of the signing of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation, further tap potential, expand trade and promote cooperation on investment as well as major areas such as oil, natural gas, hydro-power and nuclear energy. He also said that the Planning Framework of Regional Cooperation between Northeast China and Russian Far East and Eastern Siberia should be well implemented. The two countries should maintain the sound momentum in humanities cooperation. Both sides should also enhance coordination and cooperation on international issues and within the G20 and other multi-lateral mechanisms, he said.
Hu said during the upcoming BRICS Leaders Meeting, BRICS members would exchange views on major issues concerning the global economy, finance and development. He believed the summit would be fruitful and help promote solidarity and cooperation among the five countries. Russia, as an initiator of the BRICS mechanism, has actively participated in and promoted the development of the mechanism. China is ready to work with Russia to expand exchanges and cooperation among the five countries, enhance their coordination and cooperation on major international and regional issues and push forward cooperation among the BRICS countries.
Medvedev said currently, the cooperation among the BRICS countries in all areas has been developing soundly. Russia is ready to hold in-depth discussions during the summit with other members on enhancing cooperation.
During their meeting, Hu and Medvedev also exchanged views on issues concerning the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the situation in west Asia and north Africa as well as the situation on the Korean Peninsula. They agreed to strengthen coordination to promote peace and stability in the regions concerned.
Ling Jihua, member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, Wang Huning, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and director of the Policy Research Office of the CPC Central Committee, State Councilor Dai Bingguo and other officials attended the meeting.
