Chinese top legislator Li Peng went to Gorky-9 outside Moscow Wednesday to visit former Russian President Boris Yeltsin.

Li, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress, is in Moscow on a nine-day official visit.

Li conveyed Chinese President Jiang Zemin's regards to Yeltsin. Li said that it is Yeltsin and Jiang that initiated the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation, making major contributions to the development of good neighborly relations between the two countries.

Li presented Yeltsin with his favorite Chinese green tea and a set of teacups.

Yeltsin thanked Li and asked him to convey his regards to President Jiang. He said the Russian-Chinese strategic partnership of cooperation accords with the two countries' national interests. Yeltsin assured the Chinese side that the new Russian leadership led by President Vladimir Putin will continue the line unswervingly, and will further strengthen bilateral friendly relations.

Li highly rated the development of Sino-Russian relations. He said the comprehensive cooperation in politics, economy and various other fields conform to the long-term and fundamental interests of both peoples, and such cooperation will surely move forward in the new century.

On behalf of Jiang, Li invited Yeltsin to visit China. Yeltsin happily accepted the offer, saying he hoped he could visit China in the near future as a private citizen.

(People’s daily 09/14/2000)