Address by H.E. Wen Jiabao
Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China
At the Conference Marking the 60th Anniversary of the China-Russia Diplomatic Relations and the Closing Ceremony of the "Year of the Russian Language" in China

Beijing, 13 October 2009

Your Excellency Prime Minister Vladimir Putin,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It gives me great pleasure to attend the Conference Marking the 60th Anniversary of the China-Russia Diplomatic Relations and the Closing Ceremony of the "Year of the Russian Language" in China together with my old friend Prime Minister Putin. Let me begin by extending, on behalf of the Chinese Government and people, warm welcome to Prime Minister Putin and other Russian friends who have come from afar. My sincere greetings and best wishes also go to all the Russian people.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the China-Russia diplomatic relations. The past 60 years has witnessed profound changes in the international landscape. It has also stood testimony to the great efforts of the Chinese and Russian peoples for progress and prosperity and the gradual maturity of the China-Russia relationship amidst twists and turns. We have keenly realized from our past and present experience that peace and development represent the popular will and the irreversible trend of the times, that a nation that loves truth, pursues progress and cherishes an unyielding spirit is bound to have a bright future, and that a China-Russia relationship featuring equality, mutual trust and cooperation is beneficial to the two countries and the world at large.

China and Russia established their strategic partnership of coordination in 1996, which was an important milestone in the development of bilateral relations. Thanks to the concerted efforts of both sides, China-Russia relations have grown ever closer and their multi-faceted cooperation yielded fruitful results. The historical boundary issue was solved once and for all. The 4,300-kilometer-long borderline has become a bond of good-neighborliness, friendship and harmonious co-existence. The signing of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation Between the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation has laid a solid legal foundation for the growth of bilateral relations. The two sides have put in place more than 30 exchanges and cooperation mechanisms, and bilateral trade has increased over sevenfold. The "Year of China" and the "Year of the Chinese Language" in Russia as well as the "Year of Russia" and the "Year of the Russian Language" in China have put the China-Russia traditional friendship ever closer to people's hearts. Our relations have never been better than today and are moving towards an even higher level.

Time flies, yet friendship stays. We will never forget the valuable assistance and support the Russian people provided to the New China to facilitate its development of. We will never forget the profound friendship of the Russian people towards China as reflected in last year's earthquake relief efforts. China and Russia will be friends forever. Please allow me to take this opportunity to express high regards to people of various circles both in China and Russia who have contributed to our friendship.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are living in a world that is undergoing major changes, major adjustments and major development. The current international financial crisis, rarely seen in history, has exerted extensive and far-reaching impact worldwide. As neighbors as well as two major countries in the world and permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and Russia should and can contribute more to the establishment of a new international order that is fair, just and equitable and to world peace and development.

We must continue to respect each other, treat each other as equals, deepen political mutual trust, strengthen strategic coordination and safeguard common interests for the well-being of our two peoples and people around the world.

We must continue to pursue mutual benefit and win-win progress and pull our efforts together to expand practical cooperation and promote the steady growth of trade and investment so as to achieve common, sustainable and harmonious development.

We must carry forward our traditional friendship, intensify cultural and people-to-people exchanges and strengthen the mutual understanding and amicable ties between our peoples so that our friendship will prosper forever.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The great Russian writer Leo Tolstoy once said, "The right path is this: learn from what your predecessors have done, and move forward." As an ancient Chinese saying goes, "Taking history as a mirror, one can know the rise and fall." We are now standing at a new historical starting point. Let's build on our past achievements and press ahead hand in hand for an even brighter future.

Thank you.