The upcoming visit by Chinese Premier Wen
Jiabao to Kyrgyzstan and Russia will strengthen friendly
neighborhood and enhance energy cooperation between China and
Russia, said Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Li Hui at a news
briefing in Beijing?Friday.
From September 21 to 25, Wen will visit Kyrgyzstan and Russia.
He will attend the third premier or prime minister meeting of the
member states of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and then
have the ninth regular meeting between Chinese premier and Russian
prime minister.
Li said Russia proposed cooperation with China on oil pipeline
in 1994, and the two sides have done a lot of preparatory work in
oil pipeline projects since then.
As the oil pipeline lies in blueprint, China and Russia have
been conducting energy cooperation via railway transportation, Li
said, adding that China, a large and stable market, needs oil and
gas very much and it provides a solid foundation for energy
cooperation with Russia.
Li said China and Russia also share common interests in fighting
international terrorism, since the two countries are both victims
of terrorists.
"Premier Wen will surely exchange views with Russian leaders on
combating terror during his tour," Li said.
It conforms to the common aspiration and interests of the two
peoples to fight terrorism and to safeguard the security of the two
nations and citizens, Li said, noting that China and Russia have
cooperated closely on security in recent years.
"We share the same position and view," he said. "Both China and
Russia object to terrorism in any form, both call for a harsh
crackdown on international terrorism that endangers humanity safety
and both advocate that no double standards should be employed in
combating terror."
China and Russia have also set up a consultation mechanism,
including a special anti-terror consultation working group, Li
said.
One of the SCO's major tasks is to carry out security
cooperation among its member countries, Li said, noting that the
SCO signed a convention to fight the three forces of terrorism,
splitism and extremism in 2001.
Li said China and Russia are in an important period of
developing their relations, and they have seen increasing political
trust and share understanding and support in issues concerning
Taiwan, Tibet and Chechnya.
Sino-Russian trade has been on the rise in recent years. Trade
volume hit US$15.7 billion in 2003 and US$11.7 billion in the first
seven months this year.
China and Russia have also maintained close consultations in
international affairs, said Li. They share identical or similar
views in issues regarding the nuclear issue of the Democratic
People's Republic of Korea, Iraq and the role of the United
Nations.
During his stay in Russia, Wen is scheduled to hold talks with
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov and meet with President
Vladimir Putin, State Duma Chairman Boris Cryzlov and Federation
Council Chairman Sergei Mironov.
Li said that during Wen's visit to Kyrgyzstan, the first by a
Chinese premier in 10 years, the leaders from the two countries
will sign an agreement to outline cooperative programs within the
next decade.
Trade volume between China and Kyrgyzstan reached US$314 million
in 2003, up 55 percent from 2002. In the first eight months of
2004, it was US$307 million.
(Xinhua News Agency September 18, 2004)