The development of the strategic partnership of cooperation
between
China and Russia complies with the wishes and fundamental
interests of both sides and the changing international
circumstances.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao made the remarks in Beijing Wednesday
when talking with his Russian counterpart Mikhail Kasyanov.
Exchanging views in a friendly atmosphere, the two leaders
reached consensus on wide-ranging bilateral and international
issues.
Wen said the two countries had seen the sound development of
bilateral ties and positive results in cooperation in recent
years.
Mutual trust in politics was strengthened, economic and trade
relations rapidly progressed, and consultation and coordination in
international affairs were pushed forward, he said.
China appreciated Russia's adherence to the one-China policy,
and its support for China in important and sensitive issues
involving Taiwan, Tibet,
human rights and fighting terrorism, Wen said.
He stressed the new leadership of China took China-Russia ties
as a priority of its foreign policy, and was willing to join with
Russia to explore a new stage of bilateral ties.
Wen made three proposals on furthering economic cooperation,
which included enlarging mutual investment and cooperation in
energy and electromechanical fields, diversifying trade, and
enhancing cooperation between China and the Far East and Siberian
regions of Russia.
He said China and Russia were both undergoing industrial
reconstruction with rapid economic growth, which provided
possibilities to promote investment and cooperation.
He hoped the two sides took a long-term perspective and expanded
cooperation at all levels.
Speaking highly of the consultation of prime ministers of the
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) members, Wen said the talks
achieved results in two great tasks: strengthening mechanism
construction and closing a multilateral cooperation program.
This meant a profound impact on economic cooperation among SCO
members, Wen said, adding the two countries should continue
coordinating with each other to improve the SCO mechanism, as an
important content of the strategic partnership of cooperation.
Kasyanov said he agreed with Wen's remarks on bilateral
relations.
He said Russia and China had achieved important results in all
cooperative fields and the two sides should cherish the strategic
partnership of cooperation and make efforts to realize the
bilateral cooperative goals set by the two governments.
The two sides should also ensure the continued expansion of
cooperation, mutual trust and diverse cooperation, he said, adding
that it complied with Russia's strategic policies and the interests
of the Russian government and people.
To expand bilateral economic and trade cooperation, Kasyanov
said Russia hoped the two sides could adjust and diversify trade
structures and improve trade forms and increase mutual
investment.
Kasyanov said Russia was willing to improve cooperation with
China in oil, natural gas, electric power, space flight and civil
aviation.
He said Russia would try to satisfy China's demands for oil and
natural gas.
As for the oil transmission pipeline from Russia to China,
Kasyanov said the Russian government would implement the agreement
reached between Russia and China and fulfill Russia's promise.
Kasyanov also commended exchanges in the cultural area, and
expressed his hope that Russia and China could improve cooperation
in education and tourism.
He said Russia would maintain consultation and cooperation with
China in Shanghai Cooperation Organization affairs and the
international affairs.
After the meeting, Wen and Kasyanov signed a joint communique of
the eighth regular meeting of the prime ministers of China and
Russia and attended the signing ceremony of other five
documents.
(Xinhua News Agency September 25, 2003)