Putin meets with Chinese President Hu Jintao

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin met with Chinese President Hu Jintao today to discuss the development of cooperation and strategic partnership between the two countries.

The Chinese president welcomed Mr Putin's visit, warmly calling the Russian prime minister "an old friend of the Chinese people", Xinhua reported.

Russian Prime Minister and Chinese President at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing today.
Photo: AFP

Mr. Hu commented that the 16th regular meeting between the Russian Prime Minister and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, which took place yesterday, was practical and effective. "I believe that your visit will further promote the development of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation," said the Chinese president.

Responding to Mr. Hu's remarks, the Russian prime minister expressed his delight at the rapid development in bilateral relations between the two countries, saying that the Chinese president's visit to Russia in June had added new impetus for the two countries to foster ties.

The Russian Prime Minister told Mr. Hu that he and the Chinese Prime Minister reviewed the current cooperation between the two countries in many areas during yesterday's meeting, and both sides jointly put forward plans for future cooperation.

"Before yesterday's meeting, business representatives from our two countries signed a series of cooperation agreements, with a value of more than 7 billion USD," Prime Minister Putin emphasized. The 59-year-old leader also sent greetings from President Dmitry Medvedev to the Chinese president.

Mr. Putin arrived in Beijing yesterday for a two-day official visit, aimed at shaping Russia-China relations and further promoting all-round cooperation between the two neighbors.

According to VnExpress