Jiang, Putin Hold Formal Talks

Jiang, Putin Hold Formal Talks

Chinese President Jiang Zemin and visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin held formal talks this morning at the Great Hall of the People, following more than two hours of private talks.

Jiang said the late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping in 1989 described his talks with the former Soviet Union leader as "the end of the past and the beginning of the future."

At a time when the Sino-Russian relationship is poised to enter the new century, Jiang said, his talk with Putin can be described as "a pivotal conversation that inherits from the past and opens a new chapter for the future."

Putin thanked Jiang for his invitation of him to China and for the hospitable reception he received here. He told Jiang he was delighted to spend a good time with friends in the friendly land of China.

He stated that Russia attaches utmost importance to developing the Russian-Chinese relations. He attributed the growth of the well-grounded bilateral relationship to the unremitting efforts made by Russia's first president Boris Yeltsin and President Jiang.

Putin said his ongoing mission to China aims to consolidate the existing good Russian-Chinese relationship and craft a blueprint for long-term development of the ties.