Chapter Two Thousand and Forty-Seven: Revisiting Russia

In mid-April 2008, a huge charter flight landed at Moscow's Sheremche Cheva Airport (SVO Airport).

This is an official chartered flight of the Republic, on which is a delegation of the ruling party of the Republic, headed by Comrade Liu Jun, alternate member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the ruling party of the Republic and secretary of the Provincial Party Committee of Province D.

Liu Jun led a delegation to Russia this time, and the scale was not small, with a total of more than 30 people. In addition to Liu Jun, there were also a deputy director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, a deputy director of the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee, Zhao Xianjue, secretary of the Southern Municipal Party Committee, and Lu Nanjian, director of the Sixth Bureau of the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee.

This is the second time that Yoo Jun has set foot on Russian soil since visiting the city of St. Petersburg in September 03.

At the Sheremocheva Airport, there were three steps, one post, five steps and one sentry, colorful flags were flying, and the host put on a grand welcome ceremony.

Fedor, chairman of the United Russian Party, Andrei, deputy prime minister of the Russian Federation, Suszhov, mayor of Moscow, and other high-ranking officials and dignitaries, as well as staff of the Chinese embassy in Russia, personally greeted them at the airport.

The special plane slowly stopped, the huge hatch opened, and Liu Jun's tall figure appeared under the bright sun of Meng Chun in Moscow.

Underneath the gangway, there is a bright red carpet lined up to greet you. Russian actors in costumes performed a cheerful folk dance to welcome distinguished guests from the republic.

Yoo Jun slowly walked down the gangway and shook hands with the Russian dignitaries who greeted him.

Two young Russian boys and girls dressed in ethnic costumes stepped forward to present flowers to the distinguished guests.

"Your Excellency, we meet again. On behalf of President Ivan, I would like to extend a heartfelt welcome to His Excellency the Secretary for his visit to Russia again. ”

The chairman of the Unification Party, Fedor, was followed by Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Russian Federation Andrey. Five years ago, Andrei was the deputy head of the Office of the President of Russia, and when Yoo Jun visited St. Petersburg, as President Ivan's special envoy, André personally went to St. Petersburg to greet Yoo Jun. Three years ago, Andrei became the deputy prime minister of the Russian Federal Government, and speaking of which, he and Liu Jun can be regarded as "old friends".

It should be said that Liu Jun's visit to Russia this time was still decently received by the Russian side. In addition to the chairman of the United Party, Fedor, the government sent a deputy prime minister, who is basically equal to Yoo Jun's status. Originally, President Ivan intended to appoint higher-level officials to greet Yoo Jun at the airport in person.

Although he is still an alternate member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the ruling party of the Republic, Ivan is convinced that in the near future, the young man will rise to the pinnacle of power in his powerful southern neighbor. According to diplomatic practice, it is of great benefit to make a slight break in the reception etiquette of such a "successor" with unlimited potential, and it can further bring the two sides closer.

However, when the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee contacted the Russian side, it clearly conveyed Secretary Liu's meaning that he did not want to "make an exception".

Ivan had no choice but to give up.

Obviously, the young Secretary Liu is deliberately keeping a low profile and is unwilling to be too conspicuous. In fact, Liu Jun has been too dazzling over the years. There is no need to further stimulate the sensitive nerves of some people in such a matter.

Yoo Jun smiled and said to Andrei, "Thank you very much President Ivan and His Excellency Vice Prime Minister Andrei for their hospitality. I look forward to meeting with you again, Mr. President. ”

In addition to Fedor, Andrey and Moscow Mayor Suszhov, Russia's President-elect Mr. Alexander also sent a special representative to greet Liu Jun at the airport. This year is the year of the change of office in Russia. President Ivan has already served two terms in a row, and according to the Russian Constitution, he will not be able to continue in the presidency.

Yoo Jun also expressed his heartfelt thanks to Alexander, the special representative elected to the president.

Comrade Fei Jianfa, Chinese ambassador to Russia, also greeted him at the airport.

As usual, Fei Jianfa is a vice-ministerial-level ambassador.

Because this visit was an inter-party exchange, not a state visit in the strict sense of the word, and the delegation also came to observe the ceremony in the name of congratulating the Sixth National Congress of the Russian United Party, neither the guest nor the host delivered a written speech at the airport.

After the salute, the motorcade drove to the Moscow chain of the Autumn Water Hotel.

This was also specially arranged by the Russian side, naturally so that the distinguished guests of the powerful southern neighbor would feel at home.

The Autumn Water Hotel Moscow chain is classified as a class A within the Autumn Water Group, that is, the highest grade, which is consistent with the specifications of the chain stores in the domestic capital. The Autumnal Hotel is operating very successfully in the major cities of Russia. According to statistics, Moscow has the highest hotel prices in the world. The average price per hotel room reached more than $400. As the leader of the global hotel chain industry, Qiushui Hotel is known for its high-end luxury, and the price of its rooms is far above the average price. As for the presidential suite, it is reported that the cost of each night is as high as 20,000 US dollars, which is the most expensive hotel suite in the whole of Russia.

Located next to the Kremlin and Red Square, the Autumnwater Hotel Moscow chain is located in this extremely luxurious presidential suite in the style of European royalty, which is very spacious, more than 300 square meters, and stands in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows with a direct view of Red Square.

In the evening, Chairman Fedor held a banquet at the Qiushui Hotel to clean up the dust for Secretary Liu Jun and the delegation. The banquet was very solemn, it was a complete state banquet standard, and before the banquet began, Liu Jun gave a written speech, and the guests and hosts enjoyed themselves.

Because the guests rushed to Moscow in the dust and had to "reverse the jet lag", after the dinner, no official meeting was arranged. Only Fedor Andrey Suslov and others had a brief meeting with Liu Jun politely, and after the etiquette was flowing, he asked His Excellency the Secretary to have a good rest and leave.

After Fedor and others left, Lu Nanjian, director of the Sixth Bureau of the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee, and Fei Jianfa, ambassador to Russia, once again reported to Liu Jun on the schedule of their visit to Russia.

Early the next morning, Liu Jun led the members of the delegation to attend the opening ceremony of the Sixth National Congress of the Russian United Party as observers.

The United Russia Party was formed by the successful merger of three pro-presidential centrist groups and was registered with the Russian Ministry of Justice at the beginning of the century. From the day it was founded, it was the largest political party in Russia.

The characteristics of this party are very obvious, it belongs to the centrist party, and it is neither left nor right. The party's highest guiding principle is to support President Ivan. This is relatively rare among political parties in the world. Emphasizing that a strong presidential regime is a guarantee of political stability and a solid foundation for the building of the legal system, the party advocates the implementation of administrative reforms to improve citizens' trust in the country; We will deepen reforms in the economic and judicial fields and achieve the ambitious goal of doubling the gross national product. The party proposed to improve national defense capabilities and form an effective mechanism for social security; forming a professional army; improve the work of legal protection institutions; Support for foreign policy aimed at enhancing Russia's international status and role.

At present, the United Party has about 400,000 members throughout the country.

It should be said that the supreme guiding principle of the Russian Unity Party is very far-sighted and has achieved remarkable results.

Because of President Ivan's outstanding leadership, during Ivan's eight years as President of Russia, Russian society gradually returned to stability, economic reform made dazzling achievements, and the chaos and sequelae brought about by the collapse of the former Soviet Union gradually subsided. The life of ordinary people in Russia is getting better and better, and many grassroots people are full of love for President Ivan, even to the point of blind worship. During the election, a considerable number of grassroots people did not really understand the ideas of the United Party, but because the United Party unconditionally supported President Ivan, everyone immediately cast their next vote.

For the vast majority of Russians, they don't need to know what the party is going to do and what its purpose is, they just need to know whether the party supports President Ivan.

In last year's elections to the State Duma (lower house of parliament), the Russian Unity Party won a landslide victory, gaining more than 60 percent of the vote, while the United Party and its allies won nearly 80 percent of the seats in the State Duma. The United Party of Russia alone won 306 of the 450 seats in the State Duma, more than the 301 seats necessary to amend the Constitution.

Therefore, as soon as the elections were over, Fedor announced that the elections were a referendum on Ivan's line...... Ivan emerged victorious. The elections confirmed that Ivan is the national leader of Russia.

Therefore, the Sixth National Congress of the United Party, which is also equivalent to the National Congress of the ruling party, is a feast of power distribution.

Interestingly, despite the fact that the United Party is committed to supporting Ivan, Ivan himself is not a member of the United Party.

Ivan's presidency will end in May of this year. The Russian United Party has officially extended invitations to Presidents Ivan and Alexander, the President-elect, to join the United Party and lead the United Party forward.

Whether Ivan will agree to this invitation has become a focus of great attention in the world's political circles.

At 9 a.m., the National Congress of the United Party officially opened, and before that, President-elect Ivan and President-elect Alexander appeared in dark suits and black striped ties.

The venue will be held in the conference hall of the central shopping mall, adjacent to the Kremlin and Red Square.

The National Congress of the United Party, attended by hundreds of delegates.

In addition to the delegation of the ruling party of the republic led by Yoo Jun, more than a dozen delegations from other parties also came to watch the ceremony, including the party led by the former president of the Soviet Union. It should also be an ally of the United Russia Party at present. Liu Jun originally hoped to meet the legendary figure in this venue, but unfortunately the former president did not attend the conference in person, but only appointed a representative to come, and Secretary Liu's wish was naturally frustrated.

Mr. Fedor, Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Russian United Party and the current Minister of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, presided over the opening ceremony of the congress. In his speech, Fedor extended a warm welcome and heartfelt thanks to the friendly delegations of other parties.

Once the necessary procedures have been completed, the meeting proceeds to the formal agenda.