On September 14, 2007, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao sent a congratulatory message to Viktor Zubkov on his investiture as the new Russian prime minister.

In his message, Wen said in recent years with the joint efforts of both sides, China-Russia strategic cooperative partnership has witnessed rapid and healthy development and reached an unprecedented high level. Both sides have increased political trust, made important progress in pragmatic cooperation in all fields and conducted closer cooperation in international affairs, he said. The progress of China-Russia ties has offered a favorable opportunity for the development of the two countries, providing an important guarantee for safeguarding world peace and stability.

The premier said he looked forward to holding with Zubkov the 12th regular meeting between the Chinese and Russian prime ministers in Moscow. He also pledged joint efforts with the new Russian prime minister to earnestly implement various agreements reached between the two heads of state, in a bid to upgrade the level of China-Russia strategic cooperation and mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas and promote long-term friendship between the two peoples.