On March 21, 2007, Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan met in Ziguangge, Zhongnanhai with Nikolai Ryzhkov and Vladimir Gusev, both members of the Federation Council of Russia, and Mikhail Titarenko, director of the Far East Institute at the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Tang said this year is a very important period for the development of China-Russia ties and he hoped the two countries will take Chinese President Hu Jintao's upcoming visit to Russia and the holding of the "Year of China" in Russia and of the "Year of Russia" in China as good opportunities to build up political trust, promote substantial cooperation, and strengthen strategic coordination in international affairs, so as to push the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination to one new level after another. Tang also expressed hope that the Russian side will continue to support the development of bilateral ties and make greater contributions to the friendship between the two countries.

Ryzhkov appreciated the enormous achievements made in China's economic and social development, saying China has found a development pattern that accords with its own characteristics. Russian people are looking forward to President Hu's visit and the opening of the "Year of China" in Russia, said Ryzhkov, adding he believed that the traditional friendly ties between the two countries will be further developed.

The Russian guests are visiting China at the invitation of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs.