On July 26, 2008, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin in Ziguangge, Zhongnanhai.

Wen said that the launch of the vice prime ministerial-level energy negotiation mechanism indicates that the China-Russia energy cooperation enters into a new phase. Wen hoped the two nations would achieve more progress in large-scale projects concerning crude oil trade, construction on oil and gas pipelines, prospecting and exploitation, refining and chemical industries. Wen also hoped the two countries would further promote cooperation in nuclear energy and make joint efforts for setting up comprehensive, long-term, stable and mutually-beneficial cooperative relations in energy areas.

Sechin also delivered a letter from Putin to Wen. Sechin said Russia would cooperate with China to make full use of the negotiation mechanism and push for more fruitful energy cooperation so as to comprehensively advance bilateral friendly cooperative relations.