Officials: China, Russia to further cooperation

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-10-27 20:29

MOSCOW -- China and Russia will further boost pragmatic cooperation in various fields from a strategic and long-term point of view, senior officials said at a high-level meeting here Monday.

"This meeting is of great importance in the context of the spreading international financial crisis and severe challenges the world economy is facing," Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan said at the 12th conference of a joint commission for the regular meetings of Chinese and Russian prime ministers.

During the one-day conference, the two sides exchanged views in a candid and thorough manner on major issues of common concern and reached a broad consensus. They also prepared for the upcoming meeting between Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Wang said.

Wang hailed the regular meeting mechanism and progress made in bilateral cooperation since the mechanism's introduction. Advances include improved trade and an expansion of two-way investment.

He appreciated Russia's support and assistance to China in the wake of the devastating Wenchuan earthquake in May and during the Beijing Olympics in August.

The senior cabinet member spoke highly of China-Russia cooperation in such sectors as oil and gas, electricity, nuclear energy, high-tech industry, information technology, trade and financial services and cross-border environmental protection.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov, in turn, said the smooth communication and coordination between Russia and China helped to facilitate bilateral cooperation.

Russia will promote cooperation with China in such sectors as two-way investment, energy, forestry resources, timber processing, finance, science and technology, space and transportation as well as border region cooperation, he noted.

Invited by Putin, Wen left Beijing Monday for an official visit to Russia, where he will attend the 13th regular meeting between Chinese and Russian prime ministers.