China-Russia relations are at their all-time best and at the
most important historical stage, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said in a recent interview with
Russian media before his official visit to Russia next week.
Wen had an interview with Itar-Tass News Agency and Interfax
News Agency in Beijing.
During the interview, Wen said China-Russia relations have seen
substantial important changes since the two countries established a
strategic cooperative partnership 10 years ago. The two countries
have enhanced political mutual trust, greatly expanded trade and
economic cooperation, and enriched the content of the strategic
cooperative partnership by holding such cultural events as "Year of
Russia" and "Year of China."
Wen said the next decade would be an important historical period
for both the evolution of the international situation and the
development of China-Russia relations. "Therefore, my coming visit
to Russia has special significance," Wen said.
During the visit, Wen will exchange views with Russian leaders
on bilateral relations and major international issues, and the two
sides will sign a series of important cooperative agreements.
"I believe the coming visit will further push forward the
development of China-Russia strategic cooperative partnership," Wen
told resident Russian reporters in Beijing.
Wen said the two countries would continue to strengthen
cooperation in all fields, including trade, economy, science,
technology, education, and culture.
China, Russia to maintain mutual support on major
issues
China and Russia will continue to support each other on major
issues of each other's concern and in each other's core interests,
said Premier Wen Jiabao.
Wen said China supports Russia in its efforts to safeguard state
sovereignty and territorial integrity. China also supports Russia
in its pursuit of a development route that suits its own national
conditions and opposes outside interference.
Wen stated the two countries should further enhance political
mutual trust through exchanges between their leaders and
cooperation at various levels and in various fields.
He said China and Russia should have even closer cooperation
within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The two
countries should strengthen coordination within the SCO and push it
toward becoming a substantially important mechanism for regional
peace, stability, security, and development.
On strengthening the role of SCO, Wen said expanding regional
economic cooperation and joining efforts for self-reliant growth is
an effective solution for SCO member countries in their mission for
development and eradicating terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
It is an effective way for the people of SCO member countries to
enjoy common peace and security, Wen said.
Wen said China and Russia should step up cooperation in the
United Nations and other major international organizations. Noting
that China and Russia share common or similar views on almost all
major international issues, Wen said the two countries should work
together to promote global peace, development, and democratization
of international relations.
China to boost investment in Russia
China is determined to encourage domestic companies to expand
business and invest in Russia, said Premier Wen Jiabao, stressing
the importance of trade and economic cooperation between China and
Russia.
China has set a target to boost investment in Russia to a total
of US$12 billion by 2020. Wen said Chinese companies have already
invested in a wide range of fields in Russia, including mining,
energy, electricity, manufacturing, infrastructure, agriculture,
fishery, and forestry.
Wen believes the two countries should strengthen cooperation not
only in the energy sector, but also in the field of machinery and
electronics. He said this requires a bigger role for the
China-Russia Machinery and Electronics Product Council, which is to
be officially unveiled in November. Wen said the council should be
turned into a platform for bilateral cooperation in the field of
machinery and electronics.
The two countries should also attach importance to cooperation
on science, technology, and environmental protection, Wen
explained. He called for the two countries to continuously open up
new areas of cooperation.
Wen said investment by Chinese companies would help push forward
trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. Trade
volume between China and Russia will probably exceed US$40 billion
this year. The figure is expected to reach US$80 billion by
2020.
"In respect to trade, (we) should not only increase the volume,
but also improve trade structure and quality," Wen said.
Wen expressed the belief that according to an investment
protection agreement signed between the two countries the Russian
side will protect the lawful rights of Chinese companies and
facilitate their investment. "We also welcome Russian companies'
investment in China," Wen added.
Premier calls for accelerated Russian pipeline
construction
Premier Wen Jiabao said that relevant companies of the two
countries should spare no time in implementing the projects of
laying oil and natural gas pipelines extending from Russia to
China. He said these projects have been determined by both China
and Russia on a mutually beneficial and win-win basis.
Wen stressed that stepping up energy cooperation is an important
consensus that has already been reached between China and Russia,
adding that cooperation in this field has made good progress in
recent years.
Relevant government departments of the two countries have
conducted effective communication and coordination. Energy
companies of the two countries are discussing and implementing a
series of major cooperative projects in such aspects as oil,
natural gas, electricity, and energy equipment manufacturing.
China-Russia energy cooperation is seeing an ever-expanding scope
and increasingly varied forms, Wen said.
(Xinhua News Agency November 2, 2007)?
