Energy cooperation between China and Russia would not hurt other countries' interests, Assistant Foreign Minister Li Hui told reporters here on Tuesday.

Li made the remarks during a press briefing on the coming China visit by Russian President Dmitri Medvedev from May 23-24, his first outside the Commonwealth of Independent States. Russian Ambassador to China Sergey Razov also attended the press conference.

He said China and Russia attached importance to energy cooperation that benefits both countries, and that is an important component in the strategic and cooperative partnership.

"China advocates enhancing international cooperation on energy resources to safeguard energy security," he said.

On oil pipeline cooperation, Razov said the Eastern Siberia Pacific Oil Pipeline was under construction according to plan.

Nuclear energy cooperation, Li said, was a core area for cooperation and had been fruitful in the past. He said the first phase of the Tianwan nuclear power plan between China and Russia has been constructed smoothly, and the preparatory work for the second phase is under way with some agreements being signed.

Razov said the two nations could explore new nuclear energy projects.

(Xinhua News Agency May 20, 2008)