Prime Minister Vladimir Putin met with Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress
Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:
Wu Bangguo (as translated): First of all, I would like to warmly greet you on behalf of the CNPC. It is a great pleasure to see you once again. You are a well-known personality not only in your country, but also here. You have visited this country many times and enjoy great respect and authority here.
But this time the situation is slightly different. This is above all the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China, and also the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Russia.
I am pleased that you have had a successful 14th regular meeting with Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.
Before meeting with you I read some articles in foreign press with attention. Many media are noting that your visit has done a good deal to improve Chinese-Russian relations. I know that this evening you are scheduled to have narrow-format talks with President Hu Jintao. So I would like to wish you success in your visit to this country in advance. I am certain that it will provide a powerful impetus to the development of Chinese-Russian relations.
Once again, I warmly greet you, Mr Putin, and all our colleagues.
Vladimir Putin: Mr Chairman of Parliament, friends.
I would like to once again congratulate you all on this momentous occasion, the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China. I am very happy to hear such high assessments of our bilateral relations and of the results of my visit to China.
The attention shown by the public in our countries and round the world to our bilateral relations is not fortuitous, because relations between Russia and China are a key factor in world affairs.
Executive bodies of authority do a great deal in this respect, but we also attach much significance to inter-parliamentary contacts.
