Official website of the President of Russia

Transcripts   /

Ppresident Vladimir Putin: It was very pleasing for me to see you and have the opportunity to congratulate you on the results of work you have done this year.

Chairman Hu Jintao talked about the roots of our cooperation, about the history of relations between Russia and China. What we have done so far, what we are doing today together with Chairman Hu Jintao – these are important, serious things, but they are the foundation for creating conditions for you for further development of relations. On the basis of what is achieved today, we will advance further. Those who do not advance, go backwards.

We have over 4,000 kilometres of common border. You do not choose your neighbours, just as you do not choose your relatives. We have every reason to believe that we can supplement each other to become more competitive in the increasingly critical and harsh competitive struggle on the international scene. In this sense, China shows a very good example of development, based on its historical roots, on its traditions and on the necessity to modern its society and economy. And the fact that China is able to find the right balance between traditions, the modern world and the future – this is obvious, also judging from the people standing in front of me, because many of the young people of China are dressed in national costume, which is very pleasing for me to note.

We are accustomed to saying that the youth is responsible for the future. And this is not just because of the age of young people. The young are responsible for the future mainly because they lack a negative experience of the past, and they are usually people who strive for the future, people who think progressively, who in all their activity choose the most optimal paths of their own personal development, and thus the optimal paths of development for their own country.

I should say that during my work this year you have given us a good example. I mean the positive results of the youth exchanges and contacts in 2004. Chairman Hu Jintao and I talked about expanding and using our experience, and holding the year of Russia in China, and the year of China in the Russian Federation. So I want to thank you for the positive example, and express the hope for that the young people of China and Russia will take the most active part in building international relations.

Thank you.