China will enhance its cooperation with Russia on water conservation and environmental protection around their border river area over the next two years.

Environmental officials from both sides have negotiated on how to better protect the ecology of Helongjiang River and Wusuli River, also known as Ussuri River.

Both countries will recognize each other's water environmental standards, assessment and technological systems, and set up working group and expert team for periodic meetings.

In 2002 and 2003, China and Russia did eight joint environmental assessments over the two border rivers.

(CRI January 5, 2005)