Saturday, January 27, 2001, updated at 10:54(GMT+8)
World
Putin Greets Jiang Zemin on Lunar New Year
Russian President Vladimir Putin extended greetings to Chinese President Jiang Zemin on the first Chinese lunar New Year in the new century.
Putin said in a greeting on Wednesday that Russia and China are striding into the 21st century in a strategic partnership based on trust and equality with the objectives of insuring the smooth development of greater cooperation together.
"Russian-Chinese relations have become a powerful factor in safeguarding world peace and stability and in creating a democratic multi-polar order," the message read.
Putin deeply appreciated his private relations with Jiang, believing "the regular and fruitful high-level contacts between Russia and China will further contribute to consistent development of bilateral relations."