On November 6, 2007, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his Russian counterpart Viktor Zubkov held the 12th regular prime ministers' meeting between China and Russia in Moscow. Both sides reviewed the developments of bilateral ties since the 11th regular meeting in a friendly, pragmatic atmosphere and reached broad consensus on the future cooperation between both countries. Both sides agreed that the meeting has achieved a range of important results.

The partnership of strategic cooperation between China and Russia has made great headway since it was forged 10 years ago, Wen said, adding that the two countries have conducted active cooperation in the fields of politics, economy and humanities. This year marks the beginning of the second decade for the partnership and the development of bilateral ties faces a good situation, said Wen. It is the Chinese government's unswerving policy to strengthen good-neighborly friendship and deepen strategic cooperation with Russia. China is ready to work closely with Russia in seizing the opportunity to follow the principles set forth in Sino-Russian Good-Neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in accordance with the direction and target defined by the two heads of state, implement the concept of peace featuring a friendship from generation to generation and push Sino-Russian partnership of strategic cooperation to a new level, said the premier.

Wen recognized the success of reciprocal national years held by both sides, saying that such events have contributed to a deeper friendship and cooperation between the two peoples. He called on both sides to summarize the experience in holding the national theme years and establish relevant mechanisms facilitating the events that are popular among people, so as to enrich the strategic cooperation between both countries.

Zubkov said Russia-China relationship is currently at its highest level in history and their strategic cooperation based on mutual benefits is expanding and covers all areas including politics, economy and humanities. Both sides have launched pragmatic, efficient inter-governmental cooperation mechanisms such as the committee for regular prime ministers' meeting, which play an important role in planning, guiding and coordinating bilateral cooperation, said Zubkov. He hoped that both countries will carry forward the spirit and experience in "national theme years", which were very successful.

Zubkov said the Russia-China partnership of strategic cooperation is in the fundamental interest of both sides and is also a positive part of international relations, adding that such a firm partnership enjoys wide space for development. Russia hopes to conduct long-term, stable cooperation of mutual benefit with China in a wide range of areas.

The two prime ministers agreed that both countries focus efforts in the following eight aspects:

First, enhance the quality and level of bilateral trade. The two sides will strive to improve trade mix, sharply increase the proportion of electromechanical equipment, high-tech and valued-added products in bilateral trade. Second, regulate trade order. Both sides should give full play to the role of the early warning and consultation mechanism related to 'sensitive goods' in bilateral trade, properly handle trade friction, protect legitimate rights of the other country's investors and facilitate exit and entry and labor service of citizens from the other country. Third, expand investment cooperation. Both sides should launch more large demonstration projects on aviation, space, infrastructure, processing and high-tech and work out overall plans on investment cooperation. Fourth, deepen energy cooperation. Both sides should implement the signed agreements, ensure the completion of China-Russia oil pipeline project by the end of 2008, discuss long-term cooperation on oil supply and enhance cooperation in oil and gas down stream sector. Fifth, strengthen high-tech cooperation. Both sides should support cooperation between their businesses and scientific research institutions through Moscow Russia-China Science Park and other channels. Sixth, properly handle the issues related to cross-border water resources utilization and protection through friendly consultations. China will step up efforts in river control with a responsible attitude. Seventh, promote exchanges and cooperation on education, culture, public health, tourism and sports. They also agreed to hold "Russian Language Year" in China in 2009, and "Chinese Language Year" in Russia in 2010, accelerate the establishment of cultural centers in the other country, facilitate the application of traditional Chinese medicine in Russia and strengthen cooperation in preparations for the Olympic Games. Eighth, expand regional cooperation. Both sides should work out mid- and long-term plans for regional cooperation, improve cross-border infrastructure construction and transport capacity and establish cross-border trade areas.

Following the meeting, the two prime ministers signed a joint communique on the 12th regular prime ministers' meeting between both countries (full text to be found separately) and attended a signing ceremony of cooperation agreements on trade, energy, science and technology, banking and border trade. They also met with the journalists.

Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi, also chair of the Chinese side of the Committee for Regular Prime Ministers' Meeting between China and Russia, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov, also chair of the Russian side of the Committee for Regular Prime Ministers' Meeting between China and Russia, and some other officials attended the above activities.