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The Order of Friendship of the People’s Republic of China is awarded to foreign citizens for special contribution to the development and modernisation of China, for promoting China’s ties and cooperation with other countries, and for maintaining world peace.

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President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping (retranslated): President Putin, dear friends,

Today we are holding a ceremony to award the Order of Friendship of the People's Republic of China to an old and great friend of the Chinese people, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.

The Order of Friendship is China's highest state decoration, conferred on foreign friends for supporting China’s development and modernisation, as well as for outstanding contribution to promoting exchanges and cooperation between China and other countries, and to the defence of peace around the world.

The awarding of this decoration to President Putin is the first awarding since China introduced a system of decorations for state merit.

President Putin, the leader of a major power with global influence, is the founder of current Chinese-Russian relations and always promotes their development at a high level. Since 2000, President Putin has made 19 trips to China, including on official visits and to attend international events. He has visited China more often than any other global leader, and he is best known and respected in China. President Putin is also my best and closest friend.

In 2001, President Putin signed the Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness, Friendship and Cooperation between China and Russia, which created a solid legal framework for the centuries-old friendship between our countries. Thanks to his constant attention and personal involvement, Chinese-Russian relations have withstood the trials of a changing international situation; political and strategic trust between the two nations is growing stronger; significant progress is being made in our multifaceted cooperation; and the friendship between our peoples is deepening.

The increasingly ambitious Chinese-Russian projects bring benefits to the peoples of both countries, and are a worthy example of harmonious coexistence of world powers and neighbouring states. They serve as a significant contribution to the formation of a new type of international relations and a community for the common future of humankind.

Standing on the threshold of a new start, President Putin and I are ready to further advance Chinese-Russian relations and open up even more brilliant prospects in the spirit of good-neighbourliness and friendship, strategic interaction and mutual benefit.

The prestigious Order of Friendship is not only a testament to China’s high esteem of President Putin, but also the deep friendship between the great peoples of China and Russia.

We would like to take this opportunity and sincerely wish President Putin continued success in his position of high importance; we wish prosperity and power to the great Chinese and Russian nations, and happiness and eternal friendship to the peoples of our countries.

Thank you.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, my dear friend! Ladies and gentlemen, friends,

It is a great honour for me to be awarded this prestigious state award of China – the Order of Friendship.

I know that the order was established quite recently and is awarded for the first time today. I sincerely thank my Chinese friends for such a special sign of attention. I take this as recognition and appreciation of the Russian efforts to develop a comprehensive strategic partnership with China.

My colleagues and I are grateful to you, Mr President, for today’s ceremony. We can see what is being done, as well as how it happens.

This is also a sign of special attention and respect, based, of course, on our mutual national interests, the interests of our peoples and, of course, the friendly personal relations between us.

Allow me to emphasise that our country sincerely values ​​the good-neighbourly relations and friendship with China. We are proud of our common achievements in politics, the economy, science, and culture. We appreciate the high level of cooperation achieved in the international arena. And we are fully confident of the certain success of all our undertakings.

I would like to thank you again for such a high award. I look forward to continuing our joint work to deepen Russian-Chinese strategic cooperation for the sake of welfare and prosperity of the peoples of Russia and China.

Thank you.

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