China will import 156 high-tech materials and items of equipment from Russia, under an agreement signed by the two sides in Beijing on Saturday.

The items include 63 energy-saving technologies, such as super-conductive materials, and 53 medical and bio-engineering technologies, such as diagnosing equipment.

The cooperation also covers 17 new materials technologies, such as reinforced plastic, and 23 environment protection and agricultural technologies, such as waste-water treatment equipment.

The projects, signed in a China-Russia trade forum, would improve the trade balance between the two countries, said president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries Chen Haosu without giving further details.

Trade between China and Russia jumped by 44 percent year on year to US$48 billion in 2007 while China's surplus hit seven billion to US$8 billion.

The two sides expect their trade to reach US$60 billion to 80 billion by 2010.

(Xinhua News Agency January 27, 2008)