China imported some 7.95 million tons of crude oil by train last year, a year-on-year rise of 50 percent, according to the latest information from the Chinese Ministry of Railways.

To increase imports via rail, the ministry and the Russian Railways Ltd. Co. signed a summary of negotiations for further cooperation last November. Both sides agreed to work together and create more border checkpoints.

In accordance with the agreement, crude exports by train from Russia to China will be 10 million tons this year and increase to 15 million tons next year.

In the meantime, the Chinese ministry also signed another agreement concerning cooperation in railway transport with the departments of transportation and telecommunications of Kazakhstan, bordering China at the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
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(Xinhua News Agency February 20, 2005)