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Speeches at state dinner hosted by President Vladimir Putin in honour of President of People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping

March 21, 2023, The Kremlin, Moscow

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, friends,

I would like to once again extend my sincere and heartfelt greetings to the President of the People's Republic of China and all our Chinese friends in Moscow.

We greatly appreciate the fact that shortly after his re-election as head of the Chinese state, Comrade Xi Jinping came to Russia on a state visit. This is clear confirmation of the special nature of the Russian-Chinese partnership, which is built on mutual respect and consideration of each other's interests.

Let me stress that Russia and China are bound by truly robust ties of neighbourliness, cooperation and friendship between our peoples. We are striving for the comprehensive development of bilateral relations, and we can see the same approach on the part of our Chinese friends.

In this regard, I am pleased to note that the talks I had with the President of the People's Republic of China were highly productive. We have just signed statements on deepening bilateral relations for a new era and developing economic cooperation until 2030. We charted the horizons of our partnership, and set large-scale and audacious – in a positive sense – goals and objectives for the future.

Friends,

The progress made in bilateral ties over the past decade is impressive. It has been said more than once, Russian-Chinese relations are at their highest level in history and are, without exaggeration, exemplary.

This is an example of how global powers and permanent members of the UN Security Council who have a special responsibility for maintaining stability and security on the planet should interact.

The Book of Changes, which is a true compendium of the wisdom of Chinese civilisation, says, “If people have commonality in their souls, their combined strength becomes so great that it can cut the strongest metal and overcome any obstacle.”

I believe that Russian-Chinese cooperation has truly limitless possibilities and potential, and we will continue to act in unison and strengthen our partnership for the benefit of the Russian and Chinese peoples.

I propose a toast to the health of our friend, President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping, to the health of all members of the Chinese delegation, to the deepening of the Russian-Chinese comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction, and to the prosperity and well-being of the peoples of Russia and China. Ganbei!

President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping (retranslated): Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, friends,

It is a great pleasure to pay a state visit to the Russian Federation at the invitation of President Putin and to be in Russia three years after my previous visit. This gives me great joy.

In this regard, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to you, Mr President, and my dear Russian friends for the warm welcome.

Ten years ago, I made my first state visit to Russia as President of the People's Republic of China, and President Putin and I opened a new chapter in Chinese-Russian relations.

Over the years, acting together in the spirit of equality, trust, mutual support, common prosperity and friendship from generation to generation, we have made every effort to strengthen our political trust, to expand cooperation, and to strengthen international cooperation and coordination.

Together we have filled our relations with new content in accordance with the call of the new era.

In the face of changes in the world, the times and history, China and Russia managed to maintain strategic restraint. Together, we have confidently and calmly met the challenges of the times. Our relations have become stronger, more mature and stable. We have set an example – a model – of relations between great powers.

During this visit, I held candid and friendly talks with President Putin and we reached an important agreement. We have just signed a Joint Statement – a decision has been made to further deepen China-Russia relations of comprehensive strategic partnership and cooperation. Plans have been outlined for promoting our relations as we move forward.

I am convinced that our joint efforts help Chinese-Russian relations grow stronger and stronger, and they will bring more and more benefits to our peoples and make an ever greater contribution to prosperity and progress of humankind.

I propose a toast to the further development of Chinese-Russian relations of strategic partnership and cooperation in the new era, to prosperity, development and happiness of our peoples, to friendship between our peoples from generation to generation, to the health of President Putin and everyone present here.

Ganbei (Cheers)!

March 21, 2023, The Kremlin, Moscow