Chinese premier puts forward proposal on cooperation with Russia

Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L) shakes hands with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov in Moscow, Sept. 24, 2004. It was the ninth regular meeting between heads of governments of the two countries.

Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao made a six-point proposal Friday on furthering cooperation with Russia.

Meeting with his Russian counterpart Mikhail Fradkov at the ninth regular meeting of Chinese and Russian prime ministers, Wen reaffirmed that China regards Russia as a significant partner and the Sino-Russian relationship will consistently remain as a priority in China's foreign policies.

He called on both sides to implement six tasks as a long-term plan to promote strategic partnership.

First, both countries should further improve the trade structures and standardize trade orders.

Second, he called for greater mutual investment efforts, saying the infrastructural construction, energy resources, manufacturing and processing, and the high-tech industries should be listed as key investment areas for both sides. He promised that by 2020, China will invest 12 billion US dollars in such areas.

Third, more efforts should be made to boost energy cooperation, which is an important part of Sino-Russian strategic cooperation and a key backbone for bilateral economic ties. He urged both countries to finalize a long-term intergovernmental agreement for energy cooperation.

Fourth, China and Russia should reinforce cooperation in high-tech, nuclear energy, space, new materials, information and some other industries.

Fifth, the two neighbors should encourage cooperation between bordering areas of both countries and regions which have established economic and trade ties.

Sixth, more attention should be paid to cooperation in the human resources sector, including strengthening exchanges and communications on education, culture, healthcare, sports and tourism.

Fradkov agreed with Wen's six-point proposal, and lauded the all-round and rapid development of bilateral relationship based on the Sino-Russian Good-Neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation.

He said Sino-Russian relationship has reached an unprecedented high level and that Russia will look upon its relation with China from a strategic perspective and expect its further development.

The Russian prime minister called for a long-term plan on cooperation of oil and natural gas, which is one of the most important sector of bilateral cooperation. He said more efforts should also be made to develop nuclear energy cooperation.

The prime ministers of both countries also confirmed the completion of the talks on Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization, saying presidents of China and Russia are to sign relevant documents.

Wen and Fradkov signed a joint communique concluding the ninth regular meeting of Chinese and Russian prime ministers.

Wen arrived here on Thursday for his first official visit to Russia since assuming premiership.

Wen also held talks on Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russian Federal Council Chairman Sergei Mironov, and Russian State Duma Chairman Boris Cryzlov.