On the afternoon of August 25, 2005, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks in the Great Hall of the People with Estonian President Arnold Rüütel who was on a state visit to China. Both sides exchanged in-depth views and reached extensive consensus on further developing the bilateral friendly and cooperative relations and the international and regional issues of common concern.

Hu made positive remarks on China-Estonia relations, saying that the Chinese and Estonian people always hold friendly feelings to each other. After the independence of Estonia, China is one of the first countries in the world recognizing and establishing diplomatic ties with Estonia. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties China-Estonia relations have been maintaining a sound momentum of development. The bilateral political mutual trust keeps increasing, economic and trade cooperation develops rapidly and mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields enjoys fruitful results. China attaches importance to developing the friendly and cooperative relations with Estonia and always treats Estonia as a good friend and partner in the Baltic Sea region. We respect the development road chosen by the Estonian people independently, support Estonia's efforts of maintaining national sovereignty and territorial integrity and admire that Estonia consistently pursues a friendly policy with China and upholds the principled position of one China.

Rüütel agreed on Hu's comments and suggestions on bilateral ties, noting that Estonia-China relations progress soundly and the economic and trade cooperation advances steadily. The bilateral cooperation in such fields as communication, information and electronics has been fairly fruitful and the educational and cultural exchanges have helped deepen the mutual understanding and friendship of the two peoples.

Hu raised four suggestions on further developing China-Estonia friendly cooperation: first, to maintain the bilateral high-level exchanges, expand the exchanges and dialogue between government, parliament and political parties of the two countries and further reinforce political mutual trust; second, to broaden bilateral economic and trade cooperation and constantly raise the level of mutually beneficial cooperation. China supports domestic enterprises in making investment and setting up plants in and conducting economic and technological cooperation with Estonia and also welcomes Estonian businesses to China to make industrial investment, participate in China's major projects during the process of western development and rejuvenating the old northeastern industrial base; third, to enrich the bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the fields of culture, education and tourism, implement faithfully the bilateral cultural exchange programs and build up the mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples through various means; fourth, to strengthen bilateral coordination and collaboration in international affairs. China attaches importance to the active role of Estonia in international affairs and expects to exchange opinions and coordinate position with Estonia on major international and regional issues and jointly safeguard world peace and stability. Hu pointed out that next year marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Estonia. He hoped both sides continue working hard to push for new achievements of China-Estonia friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation and celebrate the happy occasion together.

Rüütel indicated that in Estonia people have strong interests in deepening the economic and trade cooperation and expanding the cultural, educational and technological exchanges with China. Estonia hopes to enhance bilateral cooperation in such areas as biotechnology, environmental protection and resources development. It is willing to serve as a bridge for the cooperation between EU and China and expects to strengthen communications and coordination with China on such international issues as the reform of the United Nations.

Prior to the talks, Hu Jintao held a welcoming ceremony for the visit of President Rüütel to China in the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People.