On Feb.2, 2005, Russian President Vladimir Putin met in the Kremlin, Moscow with Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan who is on a formal visit to Russia. Both sides exchanged opinions on China-Russia relations and the international and regional issues of common concern.

Tang said that in recent years China-Russia relations have made remarkable progresses and constantly stride toward new levels, with the bilateral strategic partnership being enriched and enhanced continuously. China is satisfied with the sound momentum of development in the bilateral relations. China takes Russia as an important strategic partner and attaches great importance to developing the good-neighborly friendship and cooperative relations with Russia. We stand ready to work with Russia to constantly push for the bilateral strategic partnership.

China and Russia hold many identical opinions on the international situation and major international and regional issues and share wide interest in maintaining world peace and promoting common development. Currently the complexity and fluctuation of international situation has raised new challenges to both China and Russia in the fields of safeguarding their national security. The two countries should further deepen strategic mutual trust and reinforce communications, consultations and cooperation, which is not only beneficial to better protecting their own interest but also conducive to the regional and world peace and stability, according to Tang.

Putin agreed on Tang's comment on the bilateral ties, noting that in recent years the Russia-China strategic partnership has achieved sound growth in all fields and at all levels and the various bilateral coordination mechanisms are operating effectively. Russia takes the development of strategic partnership with China as one of its priorities and hopes continue to maintain the high-level exchanges between the two countries, strengthen political dialogue and make more tangible results of bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the key areas of energy resources, economy and trade and science and technology. Both Russia and China are permanent members of the UN Security Council and have major responsibility for world peace and development. Both sides should enhance consultations and coordination in international affairs, jointly cope with various threats and challenges and contribute to maintaining world peace and regional stability.

China highly appreciates that Russia always resolutely supports China on the Taiwan issue and thanks Russia for supporting the National People's Congress of China in enacting the Anti-Secession Law, which it takes as a strong demonstration of China-Russia strategic partnership, said Tang.

Putin pointed out that Russia pursues the one-China policy, firmly opposes "Taiwan independence" in whatever form and resolutely supports China's efforts in maintaining the national sovereignty and territorial integrity.