Xi's Russia visit to prompt oil, gas deals

BEIJING - China and Russia are expected to strike deals on boosting oil trade and building a natural gas pipeline during President Xi Jinping's forthcoming state visit to Russia, Vice-Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping said.

Cheng told a press briefing here on Wednesday that agreements have been reached among leaders of both states, with enterprises from the two countries now at the negotiating table in Moscow.

Xi will visit the European country from March 22 to 24 at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Cheng announced.

According to Cheng, Xi's visit, less than one week after becoming president, is a continuance of the long-held tradition that heads of the two states exchange visits after taking office. It shows that China's new leadership attaches great importance to Sino-Russian relations, and the high level and special nature of the bilateral relationship.

Cheng said over the past two decades China and Russia have established a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination, and settled border disputes left by history. They have also signed the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation and set up fully-fledged high-level cooperation mechanisms.

Amid a complicated and uncertain international situation, China and Russia, both emerging countries, are dedicated to safeguarding global and regional security and stability, Cheng said.

Both countries will not see a stronger China or Russia as a threat, rather, opportunities for their development. Increasing cooperation between the two has no obstacles at all, he added.

Cheng expressed the hope that the two countries will expand mutual political support, staunchly backing each other in safeguarding their core interests, such as sovereignty, security and development.

He also said he hoped both countries will expand cooperation in various fields, turning their good political terms into fruitful cooperations.

Cheng also hoped that the two nations deepen coordination in international and regional affairs, and jointly safeguard the hard-won results of the anti-fascist war. He added that he believed Xi's visit will inject strong impetus into the Sino-Russia comprehensive and strategic partnership, marking another milestone in the bilateral relationship.

According to Cheng, Xi's one-and-a-half-day trip will include nearly 20 activities, including talks with Putin, meetings with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and other Russian leaders, as well as attending the opening ceremony for the Chinese Tourism Year in Russia.

He will also give a speech at a Moscow university, attend the launch ceremony of the memorial of the sixth national congress of the Communist Party of China, which was held in Moscow in 1928. He will also visit the Russian defense ministry, and meet with Russian sinologists, Chinese-learning students and representatives from the press.