President Hu in Moscow for official visit
By Hu Qihua (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-06-30 22:34

President Hu Jintao arrived in Moscow yesterday on an official visit, and is expected to join his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in stating commitment to a new, just and rational world order.

President Hu Jintao inspects a guard of honour on his arrival in Moscow, June 30, 2005. [Reuters]

The leaders will exchange views on crucial international issues, with their opinions to be reflected in a Joint Declaration on World Order in the 21st Century, which the two presidents will sign after their talks.

"China is willing to deepen political mutual trust, enhance strategic co-ordination and promote substantial co-operation between the two countries," Hu said yesterday in a written statement released at Beijing Capital International Airport before the start of his four-day visit.

International issues are expected to have a high priority during the talks.

They will look at security and stability problems in different parts of the globe, including Central Asia, and will also discuss reform of the United Nations.

Chinese analysts have said they believe Hu's visit reflects a more mature relationship between the two countries.

"Furthering the strategic co-operative partnership between the two countries is important in safeguarding their common interests and is conducive to safeguarding world peace, security and development,?said Xing Guangcheng, secretary general of the Chinese Association for Eastern European, Russia and Central Asian Studies.

The joint declaration on world order, the first of its kind between China and another country, will define the countries?position on promoting multilateralism and establishing healthy world political and economic order, according to a source from Zhongnanhai, the headquarters of China's central authorities.

Trade will also be a dominant topic during Hu's visit.

China and Russia are determined to increase their bilateral trade volume to US$60-80 billion by 2010 from US$21 billion last year.

"The economies of Russia and China are characterized by a high degree of mutual complementariness," Hu said in an interview with Russian media on the eve of his visit.

Hu said he believes it is important to deepen co-operation in the energy sector, properly carry out existing energy agreements and implement co-operation projects.

Hu and Putin originally signed off the construction of a US$2.5 billion pipeline to carry oil from Siberia to China during Hu's first official visit to Moscow in 2003.

Although wavering on the final pipeline contract, Russia has promised oil deliveries by rail totalling no less than 15 million tons in the years ahead.

"Now, it is time to reach more specific commitments for bilateral energy co-operation," said Xing.

Energy is only one aspect of bilateral trade, however.

In the electricity sector, Russia's Unified Energy Systems (UES) has long been negotiating the creation of a new power grid in Siberia to export electricity to China.