Conference aims to boost co-op between China, Russia

A conference on cooperation between regions along the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River in China and the Volga Federal District in Russia was held in Chongqing on Tuesday, aiming to deepen bilateral cooperation.

The conference will last for two days and comes ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin's scheduled visit to China in May.

Government officials and company heads from both sides introduced potential investment plans and cooperation opportunities, seeking further cooperation.

The conference will list potential cooperation programs in investment and humanity fields.

Cheng Guoping, vice-minister of foreign affairs, and Alexey Sukhov, deputy plenipotentiary of the Russian President in Volga Federal District, led the meeting.

"We are preparing for potential cooperation programs, in a hope that President Putin will sign the cooperation agreement in May during his China visit," Sukhov said.

President Xi Jinping said in February during the Sochi Olympics that China will develop the new Silk Road. He stressed that the cooperation with Russia is a key part.

Yang Jiechi, Chinese State Councilor, and Mikhail Babich, head of the Volga Federal District, launched the local cooperation mechanism between the upper and middle Reaches of the Yangtze River and Volga Federal District in May, aiming to deepen cooperation.

Provinces along the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River are preparing for the cooperation.

Liu Qiang, vice-mayor of Chongqing, said the city and Volga Federal District proposed 82 cooperation programs, including potential cooperating in helicopter manufacturing and establishing a Russian industrial park in Chongqing Liangjiang New Area.

Hua Jianhui, deputy governor of Anhui province, said at the meeting that the province will invest $3.5 billion in cooperation with the Volga Federal District.

The Volga Federal District is the most industrial in Russia, and is known for its auto, rocket, agriculture and oil industries.

Tan Yingzi contributed to the story