Official website of the President of Russia

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President Vladimir Putin: Dear Chinese friends,

Allow me to wish you a warm welcome to Moscow and thank you for finding the time to come here to Moscow at our invitation to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. I would like to thank you, dear Mr President, and the entire Chinese people, for the attention that you give Russian veterans who fought on the territory of China, and for the care with which your citizens look after the graves of Soviet soldiers on the territory of China.

We expect you to make a visit to Russia soon, Mr President. This will mark the highest point in our exchanges this year. I would like to note at the beginning of our discussion that we are satisfied with the development of Russian-Chinese relations and the implementation of all previous agreements.

Welcome, dear Mr President!

Hu Jintao (translation from Russian): First of all, I would like to thank you with all my heart, Mr President, for the invitation to the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. All the events this morning took place successfully and were planned thoroughly. I congratulate you.

Victory in the Great Patriotic War cost the great Russian people enormous national deprivations. And your people achieved a great historic feat in this war. The peoples of the world will never forget this, including the Chinese people.

This year also marks the 60th anniversary of victory in the war against Japan in China. For eight long years, the Chinese people waged an extremely severe war against the Japanese aggressors, and our people’s victory also cost an enormous number of victims.

I am looking forward to my upcoming state visit to Russia. I think that during this visit we will have more time to discuss a wide range of issues.