Sino-Russian energy links to expand
By Qin Jize and Wang Ying (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-11-04 05:49

"Russia is eyeing the whole Far East region, which also includes energy-thirsty Japan and South Korea," Niu said.

At yesterday's meeting, the two leaders also reviewed the progress made on the Sino-Russian Good-Neighbourly Treaty of Friendship and Co-operation, which was signed last year.

The meeting reviewed the results of the annual efforts and outlined measures for furthering the partnership and strategic co-operation.

"The high-level exchange between the two countries have promoted political mutual trust," Wen said.

The two countries launched the strategic security consultation mechanism, approved the supplementary agreement on the Sino-Russia eastern border, issued the China-Russia Joint Declaration on the World Order in the 21st Century, held a joint military exercise and witnessed fast growth of trade and economic ties, he noted.

Wen said the prime ministers' regular meeting, with economic and trade exchanges topping the agenda, is an effective mechanism to push forward bilateral ties.

Bilateral trade volume is expected to exceed US$28 billion this year, he said, but added that there is much room to raise the figure.

China and Russia have held frequent consultations and will continue to do so to push forward progress of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) at its forum on November 18 and 19, Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said earlier.

The Russian prime minister recently met Wen at a Moscow session of the heads of government of the Shanghai Co-operation Organization.

Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov, who arrived in China on Wednesday, met Chinese businessmen and discussed bilateral economic co-operation, including oil projects.

(China Daily 11/04/2005 page1)