Chinese President Hu Jintao congratulated Dmitry Medvedev on his victory in Russia's presidential election in their telephone conversation held on the evening of March 3, 2008.

Hu said he was pleased to see that with the joint efforts of both sides, China and Russia have witnessed in-depth and all-around development in their strategic partnership of coordination. China and Russia have continued to strengthen mutual political trust and made fruitful achievements in pragmatic cooperation, he said, pointing to the successful national theme years held respectively in the two countries in 2006 and 2007. To develop China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination featuring long-term stability, friendship for generations and mutual benefits on the basis of mutual respect, trust and support is an unswerving policy of the Chinese government, Hu said. The president noted he is willing to make concerted efforts with Medvedev to push forward the two countries' strategic partnership of coordination.

For his part, Medvedev thanked for Hu's congratulations on his election and spoke highly of Russia-China strategic partnership of coordination. He said Russia and China have continued to make headway in pragmatic cooperation in such fields as trade and economy and conducted coordination of great significance in international affairs. He described Russia-China ties as a key factor in current international relations, saying that to develop the strategic partnership of coordination is the only option for Russia's policy toward China. Russia is ready to work closely with China to push their bilateral relations to a new high, said the president-elect.

Hu also invited Medvedev to visit China at an early date. Medvedev thanked Hu for his invitation, saying he is looking forward to a visit to China and a meeting with the Chinese president.

On the same day, Hu also sent a message to Medvedev, expressing warm congratulations and best wishes on his election.