The Prime Minister visited the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China and talked with China’s Ambassador to Russia Li Hui.
Excerpts from the transcript:
Conversation with Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the PRC to the Russian Federation Li Hui
Li Hui: On behalf of the President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping and Premier of the PRC State Council Li Keqiang, I would like to convey to you sincere New Year’s holiday greetings and wishes. The Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the biggest and most important holiday for China. It is different from others in that it gathers all family members at one table. Today you are celebrating the Chinese New Year with us. We are very grateful to you. I would like to thank you again for coming here.
Dmitry Medvedev: Mr Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, colleagues.
I would like to congratulate you and the friendly people of China on the Lunar New Year. This is indeed your biggest holiday and it is a great holiday. We are happy to have this opportunity to meet with you today and to convey our warmest words, our friendliest wishes to the Chinese people.
Some time ago I promised Mr Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, that I would visit you one day. Although visits are not made very often, it was very important for us to visit our Chinese friends – the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, on such a wonderful holiday. I am not sure that we haven’t spoiled your holiday and vacation with this visit because the Chinese people have two weeks off. But as far as I know, the Ambassador and the Embassy employees are working nevertheless. Thank you for receiving us at this time. Please allow me to convey to you, and via you, our best wishes and greetings on the Lunar New Year to President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping and Premier of the State Council Li Keqiang.
We hope to continue our productive contacts in the New Year as well so as to promote the spirit of partnership, our strategic partnership, and cooperation, which has distinguished our relations in the past few years.
In 2019, it will be 70 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries. In this respect, our visit to the Chinese Embassy is also symbolic. Once again, we are happy to congratulate you on thus big holiday.
Li Hui: Thank you. I am happy to welcome you to our Embassy. This is a big honour for us.
