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)