On October 28, 2008, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin held the 13th regular meeting between Chinese and Russian prime ministers in Moscow. Both sides exchanged in-depth views on pushing forward China-Russia practical cooperation in all areas, as well as major international and regional issues of common concern, and reached broad consensus.

During the meeting, Wen said the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation showed a momentum of fast development this year and the mutual political trust, pragmatic cooperation and strategic coordination have all developed at an unprecedented high level based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.

Currently, the international situation is experiencing profound and complex transformation, Wen said. The turmoil in the global financial markets has had a grave impact on the world economy and even the international order, and the issues of energy and food security are becoming ever more outstanding, he noted. In this context, to strengthen the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation is of great importance to safeguarding the two countries' common interests and preserving world peace and stability, he said. Next year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Russia. China will take this opportunity and work with Russia to adhere to the purposes and principles set in the Sino-Russian Good-Neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, practice the peaceful thinking of maintaining friendship from generation to generation and fully utilize the regular meetings between the two prime ministers. He also urged both sides to implement various agreements and consensus reached by both sides in an all-round manner, unswervingly build political trust, boost pragmatic cooperation and deepen strategic cooperation, in a bid to push China-Russia strategic partnership of cooperation for healthy, stable development at a high level.

Mutual trust has served as a decisive factor in promoting the development of the Russia-China strategic partnership of cooperation at a high level, Putin said. Russia-China relationship shares a firm basis, complete mechanism, rich content and results, as well as a broad prospect for bilateral cooperation. Such a strategic partnership of cooperation is unique and very important, he noted. Russia will work with China, fully utilize the various existing mechanisms, enhance coordination on major issues and push forward friendly exchanges and pragmatic cooperation in various fields, said Putin.

The two prime ministers expressed satisfaction over the rapid development of bilateral practical cooperation in all fields, agreeing to optimize the trade mix, expand trade, stimulate two-way investment and regulate trade order. They also agreed to properly handle emerging problems, improve the quality and level of trade cooperation, enhance cooperation in high-tech sectors such as aviation, space and new materials, speed up the industrialization of scientific research achievements and jointly improve the two countries' innovative capability in science and high-tech fields. The prime ministers agreed to fully utilize the China-Russian energy negotiation mechanism, and push forward cooperation in the fields of oil and gas, electric power and nuclear power. They also agreed to well prepare the Chinese and Russian languages theme year events in 2009 and 2010, and other cultural programs such as the Festival of Chinese Culture, encourage exchanges between the youth of the two countries and promote humanities cooperation. The government heads suggested coordinating regional development strategies, speeding up the construction of cross-border infrastructure, promoting cross-border trade and helping the development of neighboring regions. Wen and Putin pledged to strengthen coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs, jointly strive for the development of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and contribute more to regional and world peace and stability.

Wen and Putin also exchanged views on the current global financial crisis, agreeing that China and Russia could enhance contact and coordination to promote the steady and sound development of the world economy and finance.

Following the meeting, the two prime ministers signed a joint communiqué on the 13th regular meeting between Chinese and Russian prime ministers and attended a signing ceremony of a range of cooperation agreements concerning trade, energy, science and technology, finance and border trade.

Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan, also chairman of the Chinese side of the Sino-Russian Prime Ministers' regular meeting committee, and State Councilor Liu Yandong, also chair of the Chinese side of the committee on China-Russia cultural and humanities cooperation, attended the above-mentioned activities.