Chinese Minister of Finance Jin Renqing and Russian counterpart Alexei Kudrin convened the first China-Russia Finance Ministerial Dialogue in Beijing on Friday.

 

The pair exchanged views on macroeconomic issues, fiscal policies, and cooperation on international issues in a candid and in-depth manner.

 

The talks came on the tenth anniversary of the China-Russia Strategic Partnership of Coordination, the fifth anniversary of the China-Russia Treaty for Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation and during the Year of Russia in China in 2006.

 

The ministers agreed the events gave added significance to the dialogue and the implementation of the agreements to promote the friendly relationship.

 

They agreed the second dialogue would take place in Moscow next year.

 

To mark the Year of Russia in China, the two ministers also attended the opening of the China-Russia Seminar on Public Finance Management immediately after.

 

The dialogue was convened under the Memorandum of Understanding on the Launch of the China-Russia Finance Ministerial Dialogue, signed by the two governments during Russian President Putin's visit to China in March.

 

Hosted by the two ministries, it will be held annually, alternating between the two countries.

 

The main topics include domestic macroeconomic issues, fiscal policies, financial reforms, and cooperation and coordination on international financial issues. The dialogue will include mutually agreed seminars, workshops, study tours and other projects.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 13, 2006)