CHINA AND RUSSIA FORGE TOGETHER AND CLAIM "NEW WORLD ORDER"

On August 9, 2008, Chinese President Hu Jintao met at Yingtai, Zhongnanhai with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who is here to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.

Putin congratulated China on the Beijing Olympic Games' spectacular and successful opening. In response, Hu thanked Russia for its support to China's preparations for the Games.

"China and Russia are forging ahead with the partnership of strategic cooperation toward their established goals, and the development of both countries is faced with opportunities and challenges at the same time," Hu said. The two countries should further enhance strategic cooperation in three aspects, Hu proposed. First, the two countries should continue to jointly promote global multipolarization and democracy in international relations, and establish a fair and reasonable international political and economic new order. Second, China and Russia should enhance political cooperation and cement multilateral cooperation. Third, the two countries should seek mutual benefits and a win-win outcome, and work together for common development.

Putin reaffirmed Russia's friendly policy toward China. At present, the Russia-China relationship is on a smooth track of development, as border demarcation has come to a successful end and the inter-governmental cooperation is being improved. "We are looking forward to the 13th regular prime minister meeting of the two countries and we will elevate the practical cooperation in various fields with China to a new height," Putin said.

Hu once again thanked Russia for its valuable support and selfless assistance to the Chinese people in the relief efforts following the devastating earthquake that jolted Sichuan Province in May. "The Russian assistance embodies the profound friendship of the Russian people toward the Chinese people, and indicates a high level of the China-Russia partnership of strategic cooperation," the Chinese president said. Some students from China's quake-hit areas have just finished their rehabilitation in Russia, Hu said. "Such an activity is of great significance to promoting Sino-Russian friendship."

Putin said he believes the Chinese government and people are fully capable of recovering from the earthquake disaster. "Our assistance reflects friendship and good neighborhood. It is something a good neighbor should do."

Ling Jihua, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee (CPCCC) and Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, Wang Huning, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee (CPCCC) and Director of the Policy Research Office of the CPC Central Committee, and State Councilor Dai Bingguo attended the meeting.