China and Russia

On January 24, President Putin sent a congratulatory cable to President Jiang Zemin on the occasion of the Spring Festival.

　　On January 24, Steloyev, Chairman of the Russian Federal Council, and Shelezniov, Chairman of the State Duma, respectively sent congratulatory cards to Chairman Li Peng on the occasion of the Spring Festival.

　　On February 19, at the request of the Russian side, Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan talked over the phone with Foreign Minister Ivanov. The two sides had an exchange of views on issues of common interest.

　　On February 23, Liu Guchang, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, held consultations on bilateral relations in Moscow with Loshokov, Russian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs.

　　From March 28 to 30, Loshokov, Russian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited China and held consultations with Liu Guchang, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs.

　　On April 2, Wang Guangya, Vice Foreign Minister, held consultations in Beijing with Olzonnichze, Russian Vice Foreign Minister, on international and regional issues of common interest.

　　On April 4, Zhang Deguang, Vice Foreign Minister, held the third round of China-Russian consultations on strategic stability in Beijing with Mamedov, Russian Vice Foreign Minister.

　　From April 9 to 15, Zhu Yuli, Member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and Chairman of the China-Russian Friendly Deputies' Group, visited Russia.

　　From April 29 to May 1, Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan paid an official visit to Russia. The two foreign ministers signed a protocol confirming the version agreed upon through consensus of the Treaty of Good Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation between the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation.

　　On May 24, Premier Zhu Rongji sent a cable to Kasyanov, Russian Prime Minister, expressing his sympathy over the serious flooding in some areas along the Volga and Lena rivers.

　　From June 11 to 20, Huang Yicheng, China's Chairman of the China-Russian Friendship, Peace and Development Committee, visited Russia at the invitation of Volsky, his Russian counterpart.

　　On June 12, President Jiang Zemin, Chairman Li Peng and Premier Zhu Rongji respectively wrote to President Putin, Federal Council Chairman Steloyev and State Duma Chairman Shelezniov, extending their congratulations on Russian National Day.

　　On June 14, President Jiang Zemin and President Putin held a bilateral meeting during their participation in the first meeting in Shanghai of the heads of state of the members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and had an exchange of views on bilateral relations and international issues of common interest.

　　On June 15, Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and Foreign Minister Ivanov had a breakfast during the first meeting of the heads of state of the members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and exchanged views on bilateral relations and international issues of common interest.

　　On June 18, at the request of the Russian side, President Jiang Zemin had a telephone conversation in Shanghai with President Putin.

　　From June 24 to 30, at the invitation of the Association for International Understanding of China, Khakamada, Vice Chairman of Russian State Duma and Co-Chairman of the Union of Rightist Forces, visited China.

　　From June 26 to July 2, Shelivanov, Chairman of the Russian Youth Work Sub-Committee of the China-Russian Friendship, Peace and Development, led the Russian Youth Delegation on a visit to China.

　　From July 3 to 10, at the invitation of the Association for International Understanding of China, Chlingalov, Vice Chairman of the Russian State Duma, visited China as head of a delegation.

　　On July 8, Liu Guchang, Assistant Foreign Minister, met with Gesiukov, visiting Russian Vice Foreign Minister, and held an exchange of views on issues of bilateral relations.

　　From July 10 to 14, the Beijing Olympic Games Bid Delegation headed by Vice Premier Li Lanqing went to Moscow to participate in the 112th plenary meeting of the International Olympic Committee. Beijing won the right to host the 2008 Olympic Games.

　　From July 15 to 18, President Jiang Zemin paid a state visit to Russia at the invitation of President Putin. President Jiang held talks with President Putin and met with Russian Prime Minister Kasyanov, Chairman Steloyev of the Federal Council and Chairman Sheleznikov of the State Duma. The two heads of state signed the Treaty of Good Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation between the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation. They issued the Moscow Joint Statement of the Heads of State of China and Russia. President Jiang also visited Volgograd.

　　On July 26, at the request of the Russian side, President Jiang Zemin had a telephone conversation with President Putin. The two sides had an exchange of views on issues of common interest.

　　On July 26, Foreign Minister Tang Jiexuan met with Russian Foreign Minister Ivanov during his participation in the 8th foreign ministers' meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum in Hanoi. The two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations and international issues.

　　From August 22 to 24, at the invitation of Vice Premier Li Lanqing, Matviyenko Russian Vice Prime Minister and Chairperson of the China-Russian Committee on Education, Cultural, Health and Sports Cooperation, visited China and took part in the second meeting of the committee.

　　From September 3 to 5, State Councilor Wu Yi, at the head of a delegation, participated in the fifth meeting in Moscow of Committee on Regular Meetings of Heads of Government between China and Russia at the invitation of Klebanov, Russian Chairman of the committee and made preparations for Premier Zhu Rongji's coming visit to Russia.