On July 16, 2001, President Jiang Zemin and his wife attended a tea party hosted by former Russian President Boris Yeltsin and his wife. The two sides had a pleasant talk in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Jiang said that we met not long ago in Beijing and had a pleasant talk and now we met again in Moscow. Old friends are particularly happy to meet again. We have made joint efforts for 10 years to form the new-type Sino-Russian relations. Based upon post-Cold War changes in the international situation, and proceeding from the fundamental aspirations of the two countries and peoples, we jointly formed China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination oriented towards the 21st century, which led to fruitful results in the cooperation in all areas between the two countries. I admire the fact that though retired, you still pay close attention to the development of China-Russia relations.

Jiang noted that this morning, President Putin and himself signed the China-Russia good-neighborly treaty of friendship and cooperation which fully embodies the spirit and principles of the scores of statements and declarations he and Yeltsin jointly issued in the past.  Jiang believed that the treaty will not only benefit the two countries and peoples but also contribute to world peace, stability and development.

Yeltsin extended a warm welcome to President Jiang for his visit. He said that Jiang is an old friend of his. He was very pleased to meet Jiang again in Moscow.

Yeltsin said that he has been following closely the development of Russia-China strategic partnership of coordination. The Good-neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation is very important for Russia, China and world peace.