On the afternoon of December 8, 2005, Chinese President Hu Jintao met in the Great Hall of the People with Valentina Matviyenko, First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of Russia for the Year of Russia in China and the Year of China in Russia.

Hu highly commented upon a series of important results made with China-Russia relationship this year, indicating that China would like to work with Russia to further the pragmatic cooperation in every area, make new breakthroughs with the cooperation in key areas such as economy, trade, energy, science and technology, and achieve common development and prosperity. China would like to work with Russia to further strengthen the strategic coordination in regional and international affairs, safeguard and promote the peace, stability and development of the region and the world, and upgrade China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination to a new level in the new year.

Hu noted that the work of the organizing committees for the Year of Russia in China and the Year of China in Russia has been formally launched, laying a solid foundation for the smooth operation of the event. Hu hoped that the organizing committees of the two countries and relevant agencies strengthen coordination and cooperation to make good preparations for the implementation of the event and ensure its complete success.

Talking of the Songhua River water pollution incident, Hu said that the Chinese government would take a conscientious and responsible attitude toward the two countries and peoples and deal with it seriously. "We will take whatever necessary and effective measures to minimize the pollution and the damage to the Russian side. China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with Russia to provide assistance and conduct cooperation. I am convinced that with concerted efforts and close collaboration of both sides, we can find a proper solution to this issue."

Matviyenko expressed her complete agreement with the comments made by President Hu concerning bilateral relations. She said that the Russia-China relation was of high level, with the exchange and cooperation in economy, trade, and culture as well as people-to-people exchanges getting increasingly active. The two countries also reached broad consensuses on major international issues. During this visit, she had a productive meeting with the Chinese side on holding the Year of Russia and the Year of China event. The Russian side was confident in the complete success of the event.

Matviyenko said the Songhua River water pollution incident was a common challenge faced by the two sides. Therefore the two countries should strengthen cooperation to overcome the difficulty and conquer the disaster.

State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, Chen Zhili and other top officials were present at the meeting.