On June 18, 2009, Chinese President Hu Jintao received a joint interview of Chinese and foreign media in Moscow and answered the questions of correspondents of ITAR-TASS, the Hong Kong-based Phoenix Satellite Television and CCTV on the future development of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and how to strengthen the China-Russia strategic partnership.

At the invitation of President Medvedev, I attended the SCO Summit, the BRIC Summit and paid a state visit to Russia, said Hu.

In-depth views were exchanged on how to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, jointly cope with the challenges and promote the sustainable and stable development of the organization during the SCO Summit. It was made clear member states must pull through together and make concerted efforts to tackle the impact of the international financial crisis. Major results have been achieved in terms of improving the security cooperation system and expanding the pragmatic cooperation of the SCO.

I attended the BRIC Summit together with President Lula, President Medvedev and Prime Minister Singh. As the international situation is experiencing complicated and profound changes and the international financial crisis still spreads, the meeting of BRIC leaders helps increase strategic mutual trust, broaden strategic consensus and set the direction for the future dialogue and cooperation among the four countries.

During the visit to Russia, President Medvedev and I held sincere, friendly and fruitful talks. We jointly attended the celebration marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Russia. I also held meetings with other Russian leaders including Prime Minister Putin. Our two sides comprehensively reviewed the 60 years of development of the China-Russia relations and exchanged in-depth opinions on jointly coping with the international financial crisis, strengthening the pragmatic cooperation in the fields of trade and economy, energy resources, science and technology, education and culture and at local levels. We also exchanged views on the major international and regional issues and reached extensive common consensus. I believe with the concerted efforts of both sides we are able to take the opportunity of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-Russia diplomatic ties to raise the China-Russia strategic partnership of cooperation to new levels, he said.

Answering the question about the China-Russia relationship and the prospects of development, Hu pointed out the China-Russia strategic partnership of cooperation has been developing healthily and stably since its establishment 13 years ago. The two sides maintain frequent high-level exchanges, enjoy ever increasing political mutual trust and always support each other resolutely on issues related with their core interest concerning sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national security. The bilateral pragmatic cooperation continues to deepen and has achieved fruitful outcome in key areas. Following the successful national theme year activities, China and Russia officially launched the "language year" activities, opening a new chapter of cultural and educational cooperation between the two countries. Both sides are also engaged in close coordination and collaboration in the international and regional affairs.

Currently the international situation is undergoing complicated and profound changes, and it is especially necessary for China and Russia to reinforce cooperation. I believe the China-Russia strategic partnership will continue to stride forward from a new historical starting point and achieve increasing outcomes which will benefit the two peoples.

Answering the question on the cooperation of the SCO and BRIC countries in handling the international financial crisis, Hu stressed countries must pull through together in order to cope with the crisis and resume the world economic growth against the background of deepening economic globalization and increasing interdependence among nations. The SCO member states are linked with each other geographically, have strong complementarities and similar development level and hence enjoy a great potential of cooperation. They reached the following consensus through consultations: first, to accelerate the implementation of multilateral and bilateral cooperation projects in such fields as transport, communication and energy, promote their own economic development and try to minimize the negative impact of the crisis on the regional economy; second, to advance trade and investment facilitation, stimulate cooperation of emerging industries and cultivate new economic growth points; third, to strengthen the financial and monetary policy coordination among the financial authorities of member states and forge closer economic and financial ties among the member states.

Hu noted the BRIC leaders unanimously agreed to make great efforts to grow their own economy first in order to contribute to the early recovery of the world economy; to reinforce cooperation, promote and participate in the reform of international financial system and increase the representation and voice of the developing countries in the international financial institutions; to urge the international community to continue to pay attention to such global issues as climate change, food security, security of energy resources and public health security and the development issue as well, to create a sound international environment for development and realize the common development of all countries.

With regard to the future development of the SCO, Hu emphasized the SCO is so dynamic and attractive is basically because its member states always pursue the "Shanghai spirit" of "mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respecting diversified civilizations and seeking common development" and are committed to maintaining peace and promoting development through cooperation. The future development of the SCO should closely follow such a general direction. The organization shoulders more arduous tasks of consolidating regional security, advancing economic development and protecting the common interest of member states. Therefore, in the political area, the SCO should focus on implementing the Treaty of Long-term Good-neighborly Friendship and Cooperation and persistently consolidate the solidarity and mutual trust among its member states; in the security field, it should create a peaceful and tranquil development environment for the member states through building strategic security, law enforcement security and information security systems; in the economic sector, it should promote the common development of all member states with the purpose of deepening the regional economic cooperation; in terms of culture and education, it should encourage cultural and personnel exchanges and carry forward the friendship among its member states from generation to generation; it should follow the principles of equality, mutual trust and win-win cooperation in conducting foreign exchanges so as to build a harmonious region with lasting peace and common prosperity.

He noted the SCO is one of the top priorities of China's foreign policy. We are willing to work with all parties concerned to continue to promote the all-round development of the organization and the common prosperity of its member states.