Bilateral trade between Russia and China could reach a new high of
more than US$11 billion this year, visiting Russian Prime Minister
Mikhail Kasyanov said Wednesday.
"Russia is now China's eighth largest trade partner and China is
Russia's sixth largest trade partner,'' Kasyanov said.
Trade between the two countries has enjoyed fast development in
recent years. The trade volume reached a record US$10.7 billion
last year, and the figure amounted to US$6.2 billion in the first
seven months this year, up 20 percent from the same period last
year.
"Russian investment in China has topped US$300 million.''
Kasyanov made the remarks at a luncheon hosted by Chinese business
people and entrepreneurs, telling them such momentum "can be
maintained.''
The PM arrived in Shanghai Wednesday for an official visit and
convocation of the seventh regular meetings between the Chinese
premier and Russian prime minister.
Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji held a welcoming ceremony in Shanghai
Wednesday for Kasyanov. They are scheduled to have a formal meeting
Thursday.
At
the luncheon, Kasyanov urged the two sides to invest more in their
respective countries to make investment the new powerhouse for
bilateral trade, saying this trade merited rapid growth in recent
years.
He
attributed this growth to the policy adopted by the Russian and
Chinese governments of fully promoting the Russian-Chinese
strategic partnership of cooperation and the efforts made by
business circles of the two countries.
Briefing Chinese business people and entrepreneurs on the
development of major bilateral cooperation projects in energy,
nuclear energy and civil airplane manufacturing, Kasyanov said both
nations should explore new areas for cooperation, increase mutual
investment and develop potential in economic and trade.
Kasyanov said he hoped the two sides expand cooperation in
infrastructure, mining, forestry, agriculture, telecommunication,
home appliance production and other fields.
He
also encouraged Chinese enterprises to pay more attention to the
Russian market, polish the image of China-made products and provide
more quality Chinese commodities to Russian consumers.
Kasyanov will also meet with Chinese President Jiang Zemin during
his 3-day stay in China.
(China
Daily August 22, 2002)