Excerpt from the transcript:
Meeting with Head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Song Tao
Meeting with Head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Song Tao
Meeting with Head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Song Tao
Dmitry Medvedev: Your Excellency, Head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Song Tao, Chinese friends, I would like to welcome you to the headquarters of United Russia party on Kutuzovsky Prospekt, where its Central Executive Committee is located.
I know that you have already had meaningful consultations within the framework of party-to-party dialogue in Kazan, where an interparty forum was held. I have discussed it with my colleagues, and they told me that it was an interesting and very useful event.
The relations between our countries have reached a very high level, not only when it comes to interstate relations, but also with relations between the ruling parties, the Communist Party of China and United Russia. It is for this reason that consultations of this kind are even more valuable.
This year, a plethora of events is scheduled on the state and party levels. We are looking forward to meeting our colleagues. I ask you to convey my best wishes to the President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Keqiang. There will be a meeting with President Xi Jinping in July as part of his visit to Russia. The 22nd regular meeting of heads of government will take place in October 2017 in China. So you see, there will be quite a few contacts.
Of course, I would like to wish you every success in preparing for and holding the 19th Congress of the Communist Party of China, which will have great importance for the development of your country.
Once again, welcome. I’m very glad to meet you.
Song Tao (via interpreter): I am glad for this meeting with our colleagues. First of all, allow me to convey the best wishes of General Secretary Xi Jinping and Premier of the State Council Li Keqiang. I would like to take this opportunity to once again congratulate you on your reelection as Chairman of United Russia party at the recent congress.
This time, I am in Russia at the instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping. He often says that bilateral relations between China and Russia are those that matter the most in today’s world, and are the best relations between the great powers. No matter how the international situation changes, China will always be committed to its relations with Russia as those of a comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation. President Vladimir Putin and President Xi Jinping have reached major agreements regarding the development of our relations and promoting our centuries-old friendship.
As you have said, there are a number of important events coming up. In May, President Vladimir Putin will travel to China to attend the One Belt, One Road summit, and in September, he will attend a regular meeting of BRICS heads of state. A number of meetings between the two heads of state are expected to take place. You will also travel to China on an official visit.
Close bilateral contacts are indicative of the high level of relations between China and Russia. I think that as global powers, China and Russia are able to influence the international situation in meaningful ways, and they need to step up their strategic cooperation and enhance mutual trust in the interests of stability and peace on the planet.
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