June 17, 2009

Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen,

The history of relations between Russia and China goes back many centuries. We sincerely cherish the long tradition of friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation that we have enjoyed.

This year we are celebrating a special anniversary: 60 years ago, the very day after the People's Republic of China was declared, the Soviet Union was the first to recognise the new state. Diplomatic relations between the two neighbouring countries were established. Looking back on these events today and taking into account the full extent of our cooperation, we see what enormous significance these events had, and we get a real sense of how the cooperation between the world's two largest countries has been and remains a vastly important geostrategic factor in the world.

Today, relations between Russia and China are on the rise. Our countries have worked out new ways of working together, new sorts of cooperation. Their essential component is the spirit of autonomy and equality that characterise our contacts in every area. This seamless integration is very important for today's Russia and for modern China.

In recent years we have been particularly active in promoting political dialogue, increasing the scope of our cooperation and coordinating our efforts in international affairs. Our strategic partnership is the result of all this perseverance and hard work. Relations between China and Russia are self-sustaining and self-sufficient. They are also flexible enough to enable us to resolve the most difficult problems in a constructive way. An obvious example is the final settlement of the border issue.

Having analysed our relations since 1992, I have come to the conclusion that such relations are best described as exemplary. And this is important not only for our countries but for the world at large. This unique sort of good-neighbourliness and friendship between two great powers has made a significant contribution to the formation of a new world order, the strengthening of multipolarity, and the development of respect for those states intent on national development, in compliance with international law. I believe that our experience in reaching agreement on the most difficult issues should be extensively disseminated and recognised as a gift to all humankind.

Let me mention one other thing. Our inter-governmental relations have gone from being the traditional fief of professional politicians and diplomats to something that truly belongs to our peoples. The intergovernmental committee on cultural cooperation is both active and effective, as is the Russian-Chinese Friendship Peace and Development Committee. Our businessmen have also made an important contribution to the development of our relations.

The expansion of the social base of our partnership has contributed to large-scale bilateral projects and the Years of Russia and China. I firmly believe that a new cultural initiative, the Years of Russian and Chinese, will meet with the same great success. All this bears witness to the very high level of interest we have in one another, and that the key to continuing good relations is expanding contacts between our young people.

Our strategic partnership also manifests itself in cooperation between Russia and China in international affairs, which is an important aspect of ensuring peace and security in the world and an effective means of confronting serious challenges. We have similar positions on various issues, including those associated with the effects of the current global financial crisis. And most importantly, we understand that joint decisions and consolidated action are what is most important now.

Dear friends, in Russia the celebration of a 60th anniversary or birthday is considered one of life's most important milestones. I know that in the Chinese tradition 60 years marks the end of a regular calendar cycle and the beginning of a new one. I am confident that this anniversary in our bilateral relations symbolizes their maturity and marks the moment of our transition to a new level of cooperation. It is also a good occasion to take stock and to look to the future. It is this future that we will be building in the decades to come.

To celebrate the anniversary of our establishing diplomatic relations our countries are preparing a whole range of festive events. Today's opening of the festival of Chinese culture, which has been organised to coincide with the current visit of the President Hu Jintao, is of course a splendid start for the celebrations.

Dear friends, in conclusion, I would like to say that we in Russia are ready to expand relations with China on all fronts. Everything is in place to make this happen: political will, relations of trust between the leaders of our nations, a sound contractual and regulatory framework, mutual bonds between our peoples, links between our cultures and economies and our basic agreement on major international issues. Finally, we have the spirit of neighbourliness, which is seamlessly linked with a desire to get things done and respect for our mutual interests.

Once again I congratulate everyone on this anniversary. Thank you for your attention.