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President Vladimir Putin: Good day, dear colleagues,

Allow me to wish you a warm welcome to Moscow.

It is very pleasing for me to note that our contacts with the People’s Republic of China are developing very intensively. And at the basis of our cooperation is the Treaty on friendship, cooperation and strategic partnership. And indeed, in all areas – in the economy, the political sphere, and the interregional and international stage – we have reached a very high level of cooperation. And in this area, a very important role is played by contacts between the parliaments of our countries.

I repeat, we are very glad to see you in our country, and I hope for continued contacts and cooperation with the Chairman of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Hu Jintao, who I am meeting in summer in Tashkent, and later in October, during my official visit to the People’s Republic of China.

Wu Bangguo: Thank you very much, Your Excellency, for your kind and warm words. Thank you very much for this meeting, even though you are extremely busy. It reflects the great attention that you give us, Mr. President.

First of all, allow me to pass on warm regards from Chairman Hu Jintao. I also would like to pass on warm regards from Chairman Jiang Zemin. He is waiting to meet you during your official visit to China in October this year.

I visited Russia six years ago, and it is very pleasing to visit your country once more. This time we visited Khabarovsk and Irkutsk on the way here. We are now in Moscow, and after this we will go to St. Petersburg. During my visit to Russia, I have had very strong impressions. Both in the Far East and in Moscow, we feel that profound changes have taken place in Russia: everywhere there is an atmosphere of renewal and prosperity. This is the achievement of Your Excellency over the last four years. In your first term as President, the Russian economy grew by a third. Russia has become one of the world’s countries with swift economic growth. This is not just in the interests of the Russian people, but it is also an important contribution to the development of the world economy.

As your neighbour and partner, we are very happy about the development of Russia. With all our hearts, we wish Russia growth and prosperity, because this is the requirement for the globalization of our world, and it is also the requirement for the development of partnership and strategic cooperation between China and Russia. And we are certain that Russia will reach its goal of prosperity for the country and a growth in people’s well-being. Russia has a vast territory, and it is rich in natural resources, talented people and has a solid base. And we are certain that under the leadership of Your Excellency, Russia will achieve even more brilliant success.

As for bilateral relations, I fully share your assessment. And we are happy to note that in your yearly Address to the Federal Assembly, development of relations with China was also stressed. And we know that this Address is important for the further development of the Russian state.

On this visit, Mr. Mironov, Mr. Gryzlov and I exchanged opinions on issues of inter-parliamentary contacts and regional cooperation. Wide mutual understanding was shown. In recent years, China has established favourable relations with the Federation Council and the State Duma.