On the afternoon of May 23, 2008, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev at the Great Hall of the People. The two heads of state spoke highly of the establishment and development of China-Russia strategic cooperative partnership, agreeing to carry forward the friendly relations and make joint efforts to push forward China-Russian strategic cooperative partnership.

Hu once again congratulated Medvedev on his election as new Russian president and expressed warm welcome for his first visit to China as president. Hu said the Sino-Russian strategic cooperative partnership, since its establishment 12 years ago, has scored fruitful results. Both sides have launched sound meeting and consultation mechanisms at various levels and maintained a high level of political trust. They have also formulated more than 200 legal documents, laying a firm basis for development of bilateral ties and completely resolved border issues left over from history, thus creating favorable conditions for bilateral ties. The two countries have continuously expanded economic and trade cooperation with bilateral trade volume maintaining a relatively high growth rate for 8 successive years. Both sides successfully held the national year activities, which pushed pragmatic cooperation in all areas to an unprecedented high level, and maintained effective coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs.

Hu raised a four-pointed proposal on promoting better and more rapid development of Sino-Russian strategic cooperative partnership. First, Hu suggested that the two countries further strengthen political mutual trust and support. The two sides should abide by the principles of the Sino-Russian Good-Neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, comprehensively carry out the spirit of generation friendship and cooperation, make full use of high-level meetings and consultation systems between officials of the two nations, exchange views on bilateral ties and other key issues of common concern, and continuously support each other on crucial issues such as sovereignty and the integrity of territory, state security, stability and development, Hu said. Second, Hu said the two should deepen their substantial cooperation. The two nations should steadily expand trade, optimize their trade structure, increase the proportion of machinery and electronic products in bilateral trade, advance oil and gas, economic and technological and large project cooperation and increase mutual investment. He urged both sides to strengthen technical and environmental protection cooperation and cooperation between localities, push for the transfer of scientific and technological achievements, well protect cross-border water resources and promote the development of border areas. Third, Hu called on the two countries to strengthen cultural cooperation, so as to enhance the friendship between the two peoples. The two sides should give full play to the cultural cooperation committees in the two governments and carry out the relevant activities of the Year of Russia and the Year of China. He called on both sides to design and well hold "the Year of the Russian Language" and "the Year of the Chinese Language". Fourth, Hu called for closer strategic coordination in the multilateral frameworks including the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and on major international and regional affairs. He suggested both sides jointly meet global challenges, and promote a harmonious world with long-lasting peace and universal prosperity.

Medvedev said Russia and China are strategic cooperative partners and the development of bilateral ties is an important factor for global peace and stability. The Russia-China relations are based on a firm legal basis and both sides have established a multi-facet cooperative mechanism for their cooperation. Russia attaches great importance to developing strategic cooperative partnership with China and is ready to work with it to push for bilateral cooperation on economy, trade, energy, high-tech, environmental protection, humanities and exchanges between localities, as well as dialogue and coordination on major international and regional issues.

On behalf of the Russian government and people, Medvedev again expressed sympathy and condolences to the Chinese government and people over the heavy casualties and properly losses caused by the Wenchuan earthquake. He expressed belief that the Chinese government and people will certainly overcome various difficulties and win the battle against the disaster. Russia will continue to offer support to China, he pledged. Medvedev, on behalf of the Russian government, invited some of primary and middle school students from the disaster-stricken areas to go to Russia for recuperation.

Medvedev appreciated China's positive efforts for the Beijing Olympics and wished the games a great success.

Hu spoke highly of and thanked for Russia's precious assistance after the Wenchuan earthquake, as well as its staunch support of the Beijing Olympic Games. Hu said with the support and help of the international community including Russia, the Chinese government and people will surely conquer the massive quake disaster and rebuild their homeland. He pledged that China will earnestly fulfill its commitments to the international community and work with the international Olympic family to continue efforts for the success of the Beijing Olympic Games.

Following the talks, the two heads of state signed a joint statement on major international issues and attended a signing ceremony of a couple of bilateral cooperation documents concerning energy, aviation, forestry and tourism. Later, they also met the press.

Prior to the meeting, President Hu Jintao hosted a welcoming ceremony for Medvedev's visit at the Square outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People. Li Jianguo, vice-chairman and secretary-general of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, State Councilor Dai Bingguo, Li Zhaozhuo, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Vice-Chairman of the Jiusan Society Central Committee Chen Kangfu, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Minister of Education Zhou Ji, Minister of Commerce Chen Deming and Chinese Ambassador to Russia Liu Guchang attended the welcoming ceremony.