On October 19, 2003, President Hu Jintao met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and had an in-depth exchange of views with him on bilateral relations and major international issues of common concern.

Hu said that to constantly develop China-Russia strategic partnership of cooperation is the common choice of the two countries. Since the May summit, relevant departments of both countries have taken positive steps to implement the agreements reached then, with many new results in various fields of cooperation. The 8th regular meeting between the two countries' prime ministers recently has infused fresh energy into their economic and trade cooperation. The two sides have had good coordination and cooperation in international affairs. Experiences from many years of cooperation between our two countries have shown that so long as we proceed from the overall situation of the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation and from the fundamental interests of both sides, so long as the principles of mutual benefit, reciprocity and good faith are followed, and the concerns of the other side are accommodated and taken into consideration, any new scenarios and new problems emerging from bilateral cooperation can be addressed properly and bilateral cooperation constantly promoted.

Putin agreed with Hu's views of current Russia-China relations. He said the Good-NeighborlyTreaty of Friendship and Cooperation laid a legal foundation for the countries to develop their strategic partnership of cooperation in the new century. Russia-China relations are developing smoothly, with rapid increase of bilateral trade and expanding consultation, coordination and cooperation in international affairs. There are no irresolvable issues or obstacles in Russia-China relations. What we need is the better and faster development of friendly cooperation. Putin also extended his warm congratulations on the success of China's first manned space flight.

On the Iraq issue and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, the two leaders agreed that in seeking to resolve the Iraq problem, consideration should be given to the long-term interests of the Iraqi people and to lasting peace and stability in the Middle East and the Gulf region. The political will of the Iraqi people and their independent choices should be respected. The task of top priority now is the early return of stability and social order to Iraq, the early realization of "Iraqis governing Iraq," and the maintenance of Iraq's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The new resolution adopted by the United Nations Security Council on Iraq is conducive to resolving the Iraq issue within the UN framework. They pledged to continue their close contacts and strengthen their coordination so as to push for a greater and important role for the United Nations on addressing regional and global issues.

Hu and Putin also exchanged views and reached consensus on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula. Both leaders believe that the six-party talks in Beijing are beneficial and have established the intention to seek a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and to solve the issue through dialogue. Hu and Putin indicated that they would work with all parties concerned to continue the process of Beijing talks so as to secure a peaceful settlement of the nuclear issue on the peninsula through dialogue.