On December 19, 2012, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met with a delegation of the United Russia party led by Chairman of the United Russia's Supreme Council Boris Gryzlov in Zhongnanhai. Xi expressed congratulations for the successful holding of the third meeting of the dialogue mechanism between the ruling parties of China and Russia.

Xi said new CPC leaders will adhere to a friendly policy towards Russia and prioritize the development of China-Russia ties. Stating that China considers Russia to be its most important strategic coordination partner, Xi said China would like to work with Russia to maintain and develop bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination and boost party-to-party exchanges and cooperation.