China, Russia reach new consensuses

BEIJING - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said in Beijing on Tuesday that his meeting with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev was a complete success, adding that a number of new consensuses on boosting bilateral strategic cooperation were reached.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev (L) and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) smile during a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing October 22, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

Addressing a press briefing together with Medvedev after their first meeting, Li said they had reached a new important agreement on boosting bilateral pragmatic cooperation and, in particular, cooperation on large projects.

Li and Medvedev co-chaired the 18th regular meeting between the Chinese and Russian heads of government on Tuesday morning. This is the first meeting between the Chinese premier and the Russian prime minister since China's new government took office in March.

Li said they had witnessed the signing of 21 bilateral cooperation agreements.

As China and Russia are two permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, two major emerging economies, and large neighboring countries, their cooperation is of vital importance to both countries and to Asia and Europe as well as to the world, Li said.

Stronger China-Russia cooperation under complicated international circumstances and within international and regional mechanisms helps to promote world economic recovery, and particularly helps emerging economies counter new possible threats and challenges, said the Chinese premier.

Medvedev said both sides agreed to cement cooperation in high-tech and innovation areas, strengthen mutual investment and explore new ways for stronger cooperation.

Calling energy a flagship field for bilateral cooperation, Medvedev expressed his hope that bilateral cooperation documents signed Tuesday could be implemented, and other projects under discussion, such as gas projects, could reach agreements at an early date.

He spoke highly of bilateral cooperation in areas such as aviation manufacturing, nuclear power and power generation.

The regular meeting, first launched in December 1996, has become an important platform to outline China-Russia cooperation.