-- Hu and Obama agreed to work together to build a positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship in the 21st century during their meeting in London on Wednesday.

-- China and Britain established diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level in 1972.

-- The smooth transfer of government in Hong Kong between China and Britain July 1997 opened a new chapter in the annals Sino-British relations. The two countries issued a joint statement in October 1998, officially announcing the establishment of a comprehensive China-UK partnership.

-- This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia, and it is also the "Year of Russian Language" in China. Russia will launch the "Year of Chinese Language" in 2010.

-- China-Russia relations have seen stable and healthy development after the two sides established a strategic partnership of cooperation in 1996. The final settlement of the border issue in 2005 cleared away political obstacles to the sound development of bilateral ties.

-- This year marks the 45th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations.

(Xinhua News Agency April 2, 2009)