(05/27/2003)

At the invitation of President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin of the Russian Federation, in the beautiful season when all things on earth spring into life, I come to pay a state visit to our friendly neighbor, Russia, bringing with me the sincere wish of the Chinese people of having friendship from generation to generation and achieving common prosperity with the Russian people.

The friendship between the Chinese and Russian people dates back to ancient times. To develop long-term stable good-neighborly and friendly cooperation is the common wish of both Chinese and Russian people. During the past decade and more, with joint efforts, bilateral relations have achieved rapid progress and reached a whole new level. The peaceful thinking of maintaining friendship from generation to generation set by the Treaty of Good-neighborly and Friendly Cooperation between China and Russia is deeply rooted in the hearts of the two peoples. We have become good neighbors, good friends, and good partners. The social, political and economic basis of China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination has become increasingly solid, with broad prospects.

The historical task we face is to carry on the past and further consolidate and develop China-Russia good-neighborly friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields and open up a new chapter in the development of bilateral relations so as to benefit the two countries and peoples.

I will have an in-depth exchange of views on strengthening China-Russia relations and major current international issues with President Vladimir Putin, and meet Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, Chairman of Federation Council Sergei Mironov and Chairman of State Duma Gennady Seleznev. I will also attend the third summit meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states in Moscow and the celebrations marking the 300th anniversary of the founding of the city of St. Petersburg. It is believed that the visit will lead to important results.

On behalf of the Chinese government and people, I would like to take this opportunity to convey cordial greetings and good wishes to the friendly Russian people and hospitable Moscow citizens.

May Russia achieve prosperity and its people well being!