China plans to significantly increase its electricity imports from Russia, a move considered important for bilateral cooperation in the energy sector.

The agreement between State Grid Corporation of China and Russia's electricity monopoly Unified Energy Systems was one of the 13 key deals the two countries inked Thursday in Beijing in the presence of Premier Wen Jiabao and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov.

Under the new agreement, Russian media reported, the country would supply up to 60 billion kWh of electricity to China per year, beginning 4.3 billion kWh. China's current consumption is about 2.2 trillion kWh annually.

The other documents included investment protection and encouragement, exports of Russian machinery and technical products as well as a framework agreement on strategic cooperation between oil companies.

Before the agreement-signing ceremony, Fradkov, on a two-day visit to China, met with Wen at the 11th regular meeting of the heads of governments. During the two-hour talks, both men highlighted energy and the peaceful use of nuclear power as the key areas to boost partnership.

The Tianwan nuclear power plant, a major Sino-Russian project now under construction in Lianyungang, a port city in east China's Jiangsu Province, is an example of such collaboration.

Jiangsu media reported that the plant started generating electricity last month; while Russian media reported it would reach full capacity next month.

Wen said the strengthening of the Sino-Russian strategic partnership is essential as the development of the two countries as well as global peace requires it, further noting that both world powers have worked effectively in resolving international issues.

Fradkov echoed Wen's remarks, saying Russia is willing to take more measures to push bilateral ties to a new high.

Also Thursday, the two countries sealed eight other agreements covering trade and technical cooperation at the beginning of the Sino-Russian Investment Promotion Week. The contracted investment volume from the Chinese side is US$1 billion.

The two leaders also attended the closing ceremony of the "Year of Russia" in China at the Great Hall of the People last night.

Wen delivered a speech, saying holding such activities as the Year of Russia and the Year of China improved Sino-Russian relations, reflecting the strategic and cooperative partnership as well as the two peoples' desire for long-lasting friendship.

China will show its achievement in reform and in opening up construction to Russian people next year through the Year of China, he said.

In Fradkov's speech, he said the "Year of Russia" had played an important role in pushing forward political contact and exchanges between the youth of the two countries.

"It has injected dynamics into cooperation in all areas," he said.

He vowed to hold a successful "Year of China" in Russia in the coming year.

Following the ceremony, the Tchaikovsky State Academic Big Symphony Orchestra played classical Russian music as well as traditional Chinese pieces under the guidance of Vladimir Fedoseyev and Chinese conductor Shao En.

(China Daily, Xinhua News Agency November 10, 2006)