We should enhance high-level exchanges and mutual visits and strengthen exchanges at other levels, so that we will be able to increase our mutual trust and strengthen our cooperation.

The two countries should engage fully in practical cooperation in all fields, particularly in the fields of energy, science and technology. Recently, representatives of China-Russia energy negotiations held their third meeting. They reached a series of mutually beneficial agreements on the construction of crude oil pipelines, loans as well as long-term trade in crude oil.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. It is also the Russian Language Year in China. We should make every effort to make all these activities successful to increase mutual understanding and friendship between our peoples and strengthen popular support for China-Russia relations.

Both China and Russia are major countries in today's world and permanent members of the UN Security Council. It is important for the two countries to strengthen cooperation on major international issues, promote world multipolarization and greater democracy in international relations, and make greater contributions to world peace, stability and development.

China-Japan relations

The Chinese Government takes food quality and safety very seriously. The dumpling incident is a criminal case. Relevant Chinese departments are still conducting an investigation and working hard to crack the case. We believe that China and Japan should continue to cooperate in the investigation. I wonder if there are food-related cases in Japan too, which after a long period of investigation still cannot be resolved. I believe the Japanese police will not give up their efforts and will pursue the investigation until the cases are resolved. That is what we are determined to do on this specific case. I think we should have the understanding of the Japanese side on this point. The two countries should cooperate on resolving the case to ensure food safety. I also believe it is important that our two countries establish a long-term cooperation mechanism on food safety.

The principled consensus reached between the two countries on the issue of the East China Sea is a reflection of the improvement and development of China-Japan relations. I believe both sides should honor the spirit of the principled consensus and create the necessary conditions for its implementation. The Tianwaitian oil and gas field is located in China's exclusive economic zone. It has nothing to do with the principled consensus between the two countries on the East China Sea issue.

We believe the first separate meeting among leaders of China, Japan and South Korea held in Japan last year was a big success. We appreciate the efforts made by the host country, Japan. My colleagues told me that trade among China, Japan and South Korea is bigger than trade among Britain, France and Germany. Moreover, our three countries are close neighbors and share a strong historical bond of culture. In the face of the international financial crisis, there is every reason for our three countries to enhance exchange and cooperation and make due contribution to international efforts against the financial crisis to help Asia emerge from the difficulties as early as possible.

China-Europe relations

The China-EU Summit had to be postponed at the end of 2008. The responsibility does not lie with the Chinese side, and I believe people are clear about the cause of it. The Europeans know well the classical philosophy of ancient Greece. I believe they have very good logic. The Dalai Lama side still insists on establishing a so-called "Greater Tibet" on a quarter of China's territory. They want to drive the Chinese armed forces away from Chinese territory and ask all non-Tibetans who have lived there for generations to move out. Do you think this person is a religious figure?

Will Germany, France or indeed any country allow a quarter of its territory to be separated from it? Please keep in mind that China always supported Germany's cause of reunification.

The Dalai Lama is by no means merely a religious figure. He is a political exile. Our differences with him are not over religious issues, human rights, ethnic issues or culture. The real issue is whether we should defend China's unity and prevent Tibet from being separated from China's territory.

In developing their relations with China, other countries should not allow the Dalai Lama to visit their countries or allow their territories to be used by the Dalai Lama to engage in separatist activities for "Tibet independence." I think it is an integral part of the norms governing international relations. This is not doing a favor to China. What we hope is that all countries, when handling this issue, will follow the principles that they say they have always pursued.

China-France relations

In the past 45 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China-France relations have made a lot of progress and brought real benefits to the peoples of both countries. China has always attached great importance to promoting relations with France and made tremendous efforts to this end. The responsibility for the current problem in China-France relations does not rest with China. We hope France will positively respond to the major concerns of the Chinese side.

I want to emphasize that I have confidence in the long-term development of China-France relations, because it serves the common interests of both countries and is in keeping with the aspiration of both peoples.

China and its Asian neighbors

We pursue a foreign policy of establishing amicable relations and partnerships with neighboring countries. We hope to see social stability, economic development and improved livelihoods of the peoples in our neighboring countries. We are committed to pursuing partnerships of mutual benefit with them. If you look around, you will find that many of China's important trading partners are in Asia. For example, our trade with India has topped $50 billion. The growth of the Chinese economy contributed more than 20 percent to the growth of the world economy last year. I believe our contribution to the Asian economy is even higher.