On June 19, 2003, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing met respectively with Igor Ivanov, Yashwant Sinha and Alexander Downer, foreign ministers of Russia, India, and Australia in Phnom Penh.

Li told Ivanov that during Chinese President Hu Jintao's recent successful state visit to Russia, leaders of the two countries stressed the need to stick to the principles of developing long-term good-neighborly and friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation, carry on the past and create a new situation in Sino-Russia relationship. He expressed the belief that the Sino-Russian strategic relations of coordination would be improved constantly and benefit the people of the two countries.

Ivanov said that the Russian government thought highly of President Hu Jintao's visit, believing the common view reached by the leaders was of great significance to expanding and deepening the bilateral relations.

The two foreign ministers also talked about the DPRK nuclear issue, Iraq and South Asia. They agreed to strengthen talks and cooperation on major international issues.

While meeting Indian Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha, Li first expressed his sympathy for the flood disaster in northeast India. He said that China attached importance to China-India friendly relations and would like to strengthen bilateral cooperation in all areas. China and India share more common interests than differences. Li said that historical problems such as the border issue should not hinder the development of bilateral friendly relations between the two countries. The establishment and development of a stable and healthy Sino-Indian relationship is conducive to the fundamental interests of the two nations and conforms to the common aspirations of the two peoples. The upcoming visit by Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to China is an important event and China will make full preparations for the visit.

Sinha expressed delight at the frequent high-ranking visits and the rapid growth of economic exchanges between the two countries. He said that he believed dialogue can solve disputes, and help seek common ground while shelving differences so that the two sides can deepen the full development of bilateral relationship which has a bright future.

While meeting Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, Li spoke positively of the development of bilateral relationship. He said that mutual visits of the leaders of the two counties have played an irreplaceable role in improving bilateral relations between the two countries. The Chinese government is preparing for the exchange of high-level visits, hoping the exchange of visits will accelerate exchanges and cooperation between the two nations in political, economic, trade, cultural and personnel exchanges fields.

Downer said Australia attaches great importance to the relations with China, and sticks to the One China policy. He looks forward to more fruits in bilateral friendly and mutually beneficial relations.