Chinese Premier Wen
Jiabao and visiting Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Yefimovich
Fradkov drew up a blueprint of goals for future bilateral
cooperation on Thursday, highlighting results already achieved, at
the 10th Regular Prime Ministers' Meeting.
Wen described the current situation as being "the best
development period in history."
"The formation of the Sino-Russian strategic and cooperative
partnership and the signing of the Good-Neighborly Treaty of
Friendship and Cooperation demonstrate the aspiration of the two
sides to develop bilateral ties with strategic and long-term
perspectives," he said.
He mentioned in particular the layout for implementing the
Sino-Russian Good-Neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation,
approved by the two heads of state last year.
According to Wen, the document sets out the direction for future
development of bilateral ties. He added that the two governments
were satisfied with the implementation of the layout.
The expansion of economic cooperation was high on the agenda of
the meeting. According to Wen, the two sides have already inked 79
agreements. The value of bilateral trade soared from US$5.46
billion from the time of the first regular meeting to US$21.2
billion last year. "The figure is expected to hit US$28 billion
this year," Wen said.
To boost cooperation still further, Wen proposed improving
commodity structure and regular trade order; signing the agreement
for the construction of the oil pipeline at the earliest possible
date while enhancing power and nuclear power cooperation; signing a
pact to protect and expand mutual investment; strengthening
exchanges of scientific personnel and the transfer of scientific
results; supporting cooperation along border regions; advancing
educational, cultural, health, sports and tourism communication
between the two countries; and holding a China Year in Russia and a
Russia Year in China.
Fradkov also commended the "important role" played by the
regular prime ministers' meeting. Fradkov said that through the
joint military exercise in August, and the approval of the
complementary agreement on the demarcation of borders in the
eastern section, the two countries enhanced mutual trust and showed
their commitment to tackling new challenges and threats, protecting
fundamental interests and territorial integrity, and establishing a
just and rational international order.
"Tasks ahead are still huge," he said. Fradkov called on the two
sides to enhance cooperation on major issues and major projects,
particularly in the fields of investment, energy, space, science
and technology and telecommunications.
China and Russia have issued a joint statement on international
order in the 21st century. The two prime ministers stressed that
the statement is of great significance for pushing forward
multi-polarization and promoting democratization in international
relations and in the formation of a just and rational international
order.
After the meeting, the two countries signed cooperation
documents on language education, economic and trade cooperation and
banking.
This is Fradkov's first China trip since he assumed the
premiership. He is scheduled to meet other Chinese leaders
today.
(Xinhua News Agency November 4, 2005)
