On October 28, 2008, visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met in Moscow with Boris Gryzlov, speaker of the Russian State Duma, the lower house of parliament.

Wen hailed the sound development of China-Russia ties and spoke highly of the close exchange between the two countries' legislative bodies. The Russian State Duma and its members have done a lot to push for pragmatic cooperation in all areas, said Wen, expressing appreciation for their efforts. It's an unswerving set policy of the Chinese government to deepen the China-Russia strategic partnership of cooperation, which conforms to the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, Wen said. China will work along with Russia to further enhance exchange and cooperation between the two legislative bodies so as to contribute to bilateral friendly cooperation, he noted.

Wen emphasized that maintaining China-Russia friendship for generations is a common choice made by the two peoples. "We will constantly expand people-to-people exchange between Chinese and Russian people, boost humanities cooperation and pass on our friendship from generation to generation," Wen said. The Russian parliament members are representatives of popular will, he noted, expressing his hope that they will play a greater role in this regard.

Gryzlov said the State Duma will strengthen exchange and cooperation with the National People's Congress of China, actively push forward exchanges and cooperation in all areas and promote mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

On the same day, Wen also held discussions with Russian friendly personages from all walks of life.