On the afternoon of December 8, 2009, Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev at the Great Hall of the People. Hu spoke highly of the outcome achieved in the development of China-Russia strategic partnership of cooperation and appreciated the important role that the China-Russia strategic security consultation mechanism has played in the development of bilateral ties.

Chinese President Hu Jintao meets with
Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev at the Great Hall of the People

"The world is experiencing dramatic transformation and adjustment, the global economic pattern is undergoing new changes and the international balance of power is showing a new trend, which will offer new opportunities and challenges for the development of both China and Russia," Hu said. It will also raise new tasks and requirements for the development of the China-Russia strategic partnership of cooperation, Hu said. China will work along with Russia, take the opportunities and enhance the all-round strategic coordination and substantial cooperation in various fields based on the principle of Sino-Russian Good-Neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, in a bid to lift bilateral strategic partnership of cooperation into a new phase in the coming year. Hu proposed the two sides should further push forward the China-Russia strategic security consultation mechanism and better tap its role and potential to make greater contribution to the development of bilateral strategic cooperative partnership.

Patrushev thanked for Hu's meeting with him, saying that the world situation is undergoing major changes with rapid development of multipolarization. It is of great significance for Russia and China to speed up strategic coordination in the context of the global financial crisis. The frequent exchange of high-level visits and enhanced cooperation in various fields and at all levels fueled the development of bilateral ties. The Sino-Russian strategic security consultation mechanism has played an important role in advancing bilateral ties. Russia is ready to enhance consultations and cooperation with China in a bid to push forward bilateral strategic partnership of cooperation.

State Councilor Dai Bingguo was present at the meeting.